As the 12th anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s life-changing skiing accident approaches, the F1 legend’s condition remains closely-guarded by his family

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The rules on who visits Michael Schumacher are strictly enforced(Image: Getty)

As we approach the 12th anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s devastating skiing accident, his health condition remains a closely guarded secret by his family. The Formula One legend suffered severe head trauma after hitting his head on a rock while skiing in the French Alps in December 2013.

The seven-time world champion was put into a medically induced coma for a period before being allowed to return to his home near Lake Geneva. It’s thought the head injury from the accident has left Schumacher needing constant care in what is believed to be a hospital facility at his home.

It’s also suggested that the German racing star is unable to communicate verbally due to his injuries. Earlier this year, Schumacher managed to sign his initials ‘MS’ on a helmet for an auction organised by F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart, with his wife Corrina guiding his hand.

Despite the intense privacy surrounding the family and specifically Schumacher’s health, snippets of information about the 56-year-old’s condition have been shared. Elisabetta Gregoraci, the ex-wife of former Benetton boss Flavio Briatore, revealed that the racing icon can communicate using his eyes.

Speaking to Spanish media in 2020, she said: “Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes. 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.”

The family’s privacy extends to visitor restrictions, with only nine individuals reportedly granted access. Richard Hopkins, formerly Head of Operations at Red Bull, developed a friendship with Schumacher during their time in the paddock.

The racing figure expanded to SPORTbible about the details of the visiting arrangements established by Corinna. “I think it’s fairly clear,” Hopkins said. “There are only two, three, four people that we know of. There are probably others.

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Schumacher’s privacy has been fiercely protected by his wife Corinna(Image: Lalo Yasky, WireImagevia Getty Images)

“Michael had friendships with people who weren’t owners of Formula One teams or racing drivers, so I’m sure there are people who probably see him that we just don’t know about, because we don’t know their names.

“But there are fairly strict rules, and we don’t talk about those rules. I’m not going to try and visit Michael, because I know that’s not going to happen, and I’m one of thousands in that position of knowing it’s not possible.

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It’s almost 12 years to the day that Michael Schumacher suffered his life-changing skiing accident(Image: Getty)

“If you’re Jean Todt, your friendship is at the point where that’s okay. I don’t think there’s a written rule or a list of names. It’s just one of those known things.”

Schumacher’s close-knit circle includes his wife, their children Mick and Gina-Maria Schumacher, and his long-standing manager Sabine Kehm.

His enduring friendships from his F1 days reportedly include Ross Brawn, Jean Todt, Gerhard Berger, Luca Badoer and Felipe Massa.