Heartbreaking Michael Schumacher health update as ex-teammate reveals how stricken star is ‘not close’ to his old self
MICHAEL Schumacher is “not close” to his former self following his horror ski crash, his ex-teammate has revealed.
The F1 legend has not been seen in public since the shocking 2013 accident, and little is known about his condition.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, ex-Sky Sports pundit Johnny Herbert, who used to be the German‘s teammate, hinted that even his friends are kept in the dark.
He said: “There’s never any news. What we do know is we never hear any positive news.
“That’s the horrible thought that he is still not able to be close to the Michael that we all remember. And that is very sad.”
Seven-time world champion Schumacher suffered catastrophic injuries in a devastating ski accident in the French Alps in 2013.
He has been undergoing rehabilitation at his home in a lakeside mansion in Lausanne, Switzerland, ever since.
And in late 2022, it was reported that the family had bought a £27million villa in Majorca.
In 2021 his wife, Corinna, shared a rare update during his Netflix documentary, revealing Schumacher is “different, but here”.
Herbert also told how the star’s condition has affected his brother in particular.
He said: “When Ralf Schumacher was with Sky Germany we often met.
“Ralf has had to do a lot of things for and with the family given what happened to Michael.
“He has matured. He is very different now to the person he was as a driver.
“He is a good human being now. He has changed a lot having had to cope with the ongoing situation with his brother.”
Reflecting on his friend, Herbert said Schumacher would’ve made a good pundit after retiring from racing.
He said: “He would have been outspoken. He was always very aware of what you can and can’t do.
“His character was always in your face, telling you directly if you had done something to him on the track.
“Remember Spa with David Coulthard. He would have been very good.”