A close associate of stricken Formula 1 icon Michael Schumacher has indicated when the world might finally learn "a little bit more" about the seven-time champion's health, over a decade after his catastrophic skiing accident.
The Enduring Silence Since Grenoble
It has been 12 years since Michael Schumacher suffered life-altering injuries while skiing in the French Alps on 29 December 2013. In the years since, the Ferrari legend has lived entirely removed from public view, with his wife Corinna fiercely guarding his privacy. Details of his condition and care have been scarce, shared only with a tightly controlled inner circle.
This strict confidentiality has extended to excluding even some former colleagues. His ex-manager, Willi Weber, has publicly criticised being kept in the dark. Another figure on the outside is Richard Hopkins, who, despite working for rival teams like McLaren, formed a friendship with Schumacher from the 1990s until 2007.
A Friend's Perspective on the Privacy
Speaking to Mirror Sport, Hopkins addressed the profound lack of information. "It's difficult," he admitted. "I think all of us, and it's just human nature, want to know. We would love to know." He suggested that the family's decision to shield Schumacher likely stems from not wanting him seen in his current state, leading fans and friends to draw their own conclusions.
"We're probably not too far off the mark in our assumptions of where he's at right now," Hopkins stated, acknowledging a shared, sombre understanding within the racing community. He differentiated between public curiosity, noting some have a "genuine" care for the champion, while others are merely "rubberneckers."
A Glimmer of Information—But Not Yet
Schumacher is believed to be cared for at the family home on Lake Geneva by a dedicated medical team. The list of permitted visitors remains extremely short, known to include former Ferrari boss Jean Todt, ex-driver Gerhard Berger, and family manager Sabine Kehm.
Hopkins predicts this veil of secrecy will not lift while Schumacher is alive. "I don't think there will ever be a day while he's alive when suddenly everything comes out," he said. However, he offered a poignant prediction for the future: "I'm sure the day that he's no longer with us, we might be privy to a little bit more information... maybe when he's no longer with us, we'll find out a little bit more about his life post-accident."
For now, the legend's condition remains one of sport's most closely guarded secrets, a testament to his family's unwavering commitment to protecting his dignity in the face of immense global interest.
