'It's sad, very sad' – three years on, Michael Schumacher still recovering

Germany - As the three-year anniversary of his skiing accident passes, Michael Schumacher is quietly turning 48.

The anniversaries have not escaped the attention of the Formula 1 legend's old title nemesis, Mika Hakkinen, who called the German "a great man".

'A great person'

Hakkinn told Germany's Bild newspaper: "He is an incredible personality and a great person. I am as affected by his fate as anyone. It would be great if he is better and we can see him again someday."

La Gazzetta dello Sport said Schumacher's inner circle is incredibly tight, with former Ferrari colleagues Luca Badoer and Jean Todt among only a select few who are allowed to visit his home in Switzerland.

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Former Ferrari tester Badoer told Corriere della Sera: "I miss him very much. But I follow him, because in life there is always hope."

However, almost nothing is known publicly about Schumacher's health, after he struck and hit a rock while skiing in late 2013.

One of Schumi's skiing friends, Mats Nordstrom, told Expressen newspaper: "There is complete silence. I have contact with people who know Michael very, very well, but for the most recent time, even they have received no reports. It is sad, very sad."