Michael Schumacher s former F1 boss shares update on icon s condition

A rare and poignant insight into the condition of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher has emerged, 12 years after the life-altering skiing accident that has kept him from public view since December 2013. Flavio Briatore, Schumacher's former boss at Benetton and now a key figure at Alpine F1, has provided a tragic update, indicating an intimate knowledge of Schumacher's current state despite previous perceptions that he was outside the family's close circle of trust.

Briatore, 75, a notorious figure in F1 history known for his involvement in the "crashgate" scandal, now states he speaks frequently with Schumacher's wife, Corinna. He appeared to confirm to an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, that the 56-year-old German racing icon is currently bed-bound, respecting the extreme privacy maintained by his family.

"If I close my eyes I see him smiling after a victory" Briatore shared. "I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though."

'Only three people can visit him'

This update follows previous claims from Briatore's ex-wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci, who stated that "Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.” Schumacher's son, Mick, echoed these sentiments in a 2021 Netflix documentary, hinting at a changed form of communication with his father. In that same documentary, Corinna Schumacher offered a rare glimpse into his recovery, revealing that Michael is still undergoing rehabilitation and is "different, but here."

Despite the steadfast secrecy surrounding his condition for over a decade, there have been recent glimmers of hopeful signs. In April, Schumacher notably signed a charity helmet with assistance from Corinna, an item now slated for auction to benefit Jackie Stewart's Race Against Dementia charity. Johnny Herbert, Schumacher’s former Benetton teammate, described this signature as an "emotional" moment, expressing hope for Schumacher's recovery and a potential return to the F1 paddock.

Adding to these positive signals, rumors circulated in April that Schumacher had made a heartwarming trip to meet his first granddaughter. It was reported that the legendary driver traveled from his family's Majorca villa to their Swiss mansion via helicopter to be with his daughter, Gina, 28, before she welcomed her child on March 29, making Michael and Corinna first-time grandparents.

Michael Schumacher remains one of Formula 1's most successful drivers, with a record of seven world titles (1994, 1995, and five consecutive from 2000-2004), 71 fastest laps, and 155 podium finishes. When asked about the greatest driver of all time, Briatore named Schumacher among legends like Senna and Alonso, before concluding that "Now, the number one is definitely (Max) Verstappen."