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Michael Schumacher is ‘still there, still fighting’ – Former Ferrari boss

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<i>Image: AP /Shizuo Kambayashi</i>
<i>Image: AP /Shizuo Kambayashi</i>

London - It’s been four years since his horrific skiing accident during a family holiday in the French Alps but Michael Schumacher is still fighting.

The racing legend suffered a severe head injury and was put into a medically induced coma for four months, which left fans all over the world heartbroken.

But former Ferrari Formula 1 team principal Jean Todt has revealed Michael (48) is “still fighting”.

 "We miss Michael. He's there, still fighting,” Todt said at a ceremony to launch the World Automobile Federation (FIA) Hall of Fame in Paris to honour racing legends, The Express reports.

"A fight is going on. Michael is someone very special, someone special for motorsport. He's special to me, he's a friend."

According to Daily Mail, the Formula 1 champion’s manager Sabine Kehm added: “We all know that Michael should be here, and I'm sure he would have loved to. He always had the utmost respect for everyone in this round, he would be very honoured. 

“What made Michael so special, what made him so successful, that was the love of the sport. And that connects him with everyone here.”


Do you think Michael Schumacher's lawyer should release information regarding the injured F1 racer's condition? Email us.

‘A long and difficult road ahead’

After hitting his head on a rock and sustaining a brain injury while skiing at the Meribel resort on 29 December 2013, Michael was put into a medically induced coma and underwent two life-saving operations at the Grenoble Hospital.

According to doctors, the F1 driver would certainly have died if he hadn’t been wearing a helmet.

Michael was brought out of the coma in April 2014 and moved to a Swiss hospital before he returned to his family home on Lake Geneva in September 2014.

“Henceforth Michael’s rehabilitation will take place at his home,” said a statement released by the family.

“Considering the severe head injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months.

“There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead.”

‘A clear line between the public and the private’

According to The Mirror, Michael’s lawyer Felix Damm said in court in 2016 that his client “can’t walk”.

This occurred during court proceedings after the Schumacher family sued German magazine Bunte for reporting in December 2015 that the former world champion could walk again.

The Express reports the publication has now been ordered to pay the Schumachers €50 000 (R825 000) in damages.

In December 2016 Michael’s agent Sabine Kehm reiterated the family’s wish to keep his condition private.

“Michael’s health isn’t a public issue and so we’ll continue to make no comment in that regard.

“Michael has consistently drawn a clear line between the public and the private, which has always been accepted by the fans and the media.

“The decision to protect his privacy from the public has been met in Michael’s interest."

His wife, Corinna (48), spoke out for the first time since the accident when she released a statement on 14 November this year, voicing the seriousness of her 48-year-old husband’s injury.

“The decision to protect his privacy from the public has been taken in Michael’s interest.

“We’ve made it clear something serious has happened.”

Following in his father’s footsteps

Michael’s son, Mick, was centre stage at the Belgian Grand Prix in August this year when he took a few demo laps around the Spa-Francorchamps course to mark the 25th anniversary of his father’s first win.

The Telegraph reports that Mick (18) put foot to pedal in the same 1994 Benetton Ford B194 Michael drove in 1991.

“It was just great. It was a pleasure for me to drive and it was emotional and fun and amazing. There’s a lot of history with it and I’m really happy I was able to drive it,” Mick told the BBC afterwards.

According to The Express, the teen wore a customised helmet for the event. Half was decorated in the colours his father wore when he raced for the Benetton team while the other half bore Mick’s own design.

“I guess it’s just good to have both sides on. We still have a big piece of history with it and to be able to put it on my helmet is another step,” he said.

Sources: dailymail.co.uk, express.co.uk, express.co.uk, mirror.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk

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