An insight into the care Michael Schumacher receives has been given during a trial concerning the alleged rape of his former carer. The Formula 1 icon is understood to need round-the-clock care following a 2013 skiing incident that left him with a traumatic brain injury.
Schumacher claimed seven F1 world championships throughout his racing career, clinching his first two with Benetton and five with Ferrari. He stepped away in 2006 but staged a short-lived comeback with Mercedes between 2010 and 2012. Twelve months later, while skiing in the French Alps, Schumacher fell and hit his head on a rock, causing a catastrophic brain injury.
In the years that followed, he has been shielded from public view, splitting his time between a residence in Switzerland and a property in Mallorca. The extent of his treatment has been revealed as a former racing driver faces accusations of raping Schumacher's ex-nurse at his residence.
Allegations Against Joey Mawson
Joey Mawson, 30, is presently on trial before the La Cote District Court in Nyon regarding allegations of rape at the Swiss Schumacher property. The carer, whose work with the family ended in 2020, claims she was attacked twice after a social event at the estate in 2019.
Mawson's defence lawyer, Maitre Veronica Abu Zeid, has made clear that her client firmly denies the allegations, having previously maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual.
Challenging Work Environment
Throughout the ongoing trial, the nurse's legal representative outlined the considerable personal cost of caring for Schumacher. The court was told: 'It's an extremely demanding job, both physically and emotionally.'
'Added to that is the culture of silence surrounding this family. That's understandable. But for the employees, who aren't even allowed to talk to their friends about their daily lives, the pressure is enormous.'
'I say this because it shows how seriously and passionately she performed her work. She was entrusted with the most difficult tasks. This is no ordinary profession.'
'There are countless articles about what happens in this house and how the champion is doing. It is a test, an enormous amount of pressure, which she masters perfectly. She is impeccable. The Schumacher family themselves say that her work is perfect.'
Schumacher's Current Condition
Schumacher's current condition remains undisclosed, though reports surfaced in January suggesting he was no longer confined to bed following years of intensive physiotherapy. It was claimed that he is now capable of sitting upright and retains some awareness of his surroundings, though he continues to rely on a wheelchair and remains unable to walk unaided.
Elisabetta Gregoraci, the former wife of ex-Benetton boss Flavio Briatore, also revealed to Spanish media back in 2020 that Schumacher is able to communicate with those around him through his eyes. 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 [Corinna] has set up a hospital in that house.'
