It’s the 12-year anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident
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Mick Schumacher paid tribute to his legendary father on social media(Image: Getty Images)
Mick Schumacher posted a photo of his father Michael in a heartwarming tribute to the F1 icon on his birthday. It was on Schumacher’s 55th birthday last January that his son, Mick, and daughter, Gina, took to social media to show their love for him.
The seven-time world champion, now 56, hasn’t been seen in public since his life-altering skiing accident 12 years ago in December 2013. Schumacher suffered severe head trauma after hitting his head on a rock in the French Alps and was subsequently placed in a medically induced coma.
Updates on his health since have been scarce with his wife Corinna staunchly protecting him and the privacy of their family. However, it is understood that the German great requires constant care from his wife and medical professionals.
Despite the lack of information surrounding Schumacher’s state, it was last year when he was showered with love on social media from his two children. Mick, who formerly raced in F1 for two years with Haas and now competes in the IndyCar Series, posted a photo of himself as a child with his father on Instagram.
In the snap, they were both wearing racing helmet with Mick captioning the post with the message: “Happy birthday to the best Dad ever. Love you!” Gina, Schumacher’s first-born, also took to the platform to post a picture of herself, her brother and their father smiling with her caption reading: “Happy Birthday Papa! throwback to one of many of our adventures.”
At the height of his legendary F1 career, Schumacher won a record five consecutive titles with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. The team’s former boss Jean Todt built a close relationship with the German during their time working together and Todt, 79, is one of very few select individuals allowed to visit him.
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The former Haas driver paid tribute to his father with the throwback post(Image: mickschumacher / Instagram)
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Corinna Schumacher has remained steadfast in her mission to keep her husband’s privacy intact(Image: Pool Interagences, Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Speaking recently about his Schumacher’s condition in an interview with Italian outlet La Repubblica, the Frenchman said: “The family has decided not to answer the question [about Schumacher’s health], a choice that I respect.
“I see him regularly and with affection, him and his family. Our bond goes beyond the past work. It is part of my life which today is very far from Formula 1.” In 2023, Todt revealed that the German is “no longer” the same man that dominated the race track in F1.
“Michael is here, so I don’t miss him,” Todt said. “He is different and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him. His life is different now and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him. That’s all there is to say.
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Gina Schumacher posted this photo to her Instagram with her dad Michael and brother Mick(Image: Instagram/Gina Schumacher)
“Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago. He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1.” Todt is reportedly one of nine people allowed to see Schumacher, with that short list being controlled by Corinna.
Richard Hopkins, formerly head of operations at Red Bull, struck up a friendship with Schumacher during their careers as the Brit detailed the visiting arrangements set by Corinna to see the racing icon in his Lake Geneva home.
Speaking to SPORTbible, Hopkins said: “I think it’s fairly clear. There are only two, three, four people that we know of. There are probably others. Michael had friendships with people who weren’t owners of Formula One teams or racing drivers.
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It’s been 12 years since his tragic skiing accident(Image: Formula 1 / Netflix)
“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. 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.”