A leading F1 reporter has provided a major update on Michael Schumacher’s health, more than 11 years on from his tragic skiing accident.
F1 racing icon Schumacher, known for his seven world championship wins, was involved in a serious incident in December 2013 which led to him being put into a medically induced coma. Since then, he has not made any public appearances.
Schumacher, a German, receives round-the-clock care from medical professionals and his wife, Corinna, at their residence by Lake Geneva. However, very little information has been shared with the public regarding his current health condition.
The Schumacher family is strongly protective of his privacy, with only a select few privy to details about his well-being, leaving many of their close friends and relatives uncertain about his current state of health.
However, Felix Gorner, a reporter for German broadcaster RTL, has lifted the lid to fans on Schumacher’s status and revealed he ‘can no longer communicate verbally’.
‘The situation is very sad,’ said Gorner, who is viewed as one of the journalists closest to Schumacher’s family and a reliable source on his health.
A leading F1 reporter has provided a major update on the health of Michael Schumacher
Schumacher (pictured in 2005) hasn’t been seen in public since a skiing accident in 2013 left him in a medically induced coma, and he is cared for by a team of medical staff and his family
Schumacher’s family remain very protective of his privacy (pictured with wife Corinna in 2005)
‘He needs constant care and is completely dependent on his caregivers. And he can no longer express himself verbally.’
Gorner also commented on the general situation around Schumacher and the private nature of his life since the tragic accident in 2013.
‘Currently, there’s a maximum of 20 people who can approach Michael,’ he added.
‘And, in my opinion, it’s the right strategy. Because the family is acting in Michael’s best interests. They’ve always strictly protected his privacy, and that hasn’t changed.’
Schumacher, who is now 56, is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, having claimed the world title in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
He also added 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums to his name during his iconic racing career.
Mick Schumacher – who is Michael’s son – followed in his father’s footsteps by competing in F1 when he drove for Haas in 2021 and 2022, finishing 19th and 16th respectively.
However, he was dropped for the 2023 season in favour of veteran Nico Hulkenberg and after acting as the reserve driver for Mercedes for two years, he now competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Alpine.
Felix Gorner revealed the seven-time world champion ‘can no longer communicate verbally’
Gorner, a reporter for German broadcaster RTL, is said to be close to Schumacher’s family
Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time and a legend in the sport
His son Mick has previously spoken out about his health during a 2021 Netflix documentary
Meanwhile, Gorner’s comments come after Elisabetta Gregoraci, the ex-wife of former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore, had previously revealed how Schumacher communicates.
‘Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes,’ she said. ‘Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.
‘They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house.’
Claims that Schumacher is unable to speak appeared to be supported by his son, Mick, during a 2021 Netflix documentary about his father’s life.
The 26-year-old driver said: ‘I think dad and me, we would understand each other now in a different way now.’
In that Netflix documentary his wife Corinna did also provide a rare update on Schumacher.
She revealed he continues to undergo rehabilitation for the life-changing injuries he suffered and claimed he is now ‘different, but here’.
The last official update fans received on Schumacher’s condition was in 2023, when it was reported that the seven-time world champion had been driven in a Mercedes AMG sports car in a bid to stimulate areas of his brain he once used for racing.
There were also reports he appeared at the wedding of his daughter, Gina, last summer, but these were rubbished by Schumacher’s close friend Johnny Herbert as ‘fake news’.
At the time he had said: ‘It will always be a closed shop. The most recent rumour was he attended his daughter’s wedding. Unfortunately, from what I understand that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it.’
