Michael Schumacher can no longer walk, but is there finally some reassuring news about the health of the F1 champion More than a decade after his tragic skiing accident, his health remains one of the most closely guarded secrets in world sport.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has not been seen in public since 27 December 2013, when he fell while skiing in Méribel, sustaining severe head injuries that changed his life forever. Since then, only his family and a very small inner circle have truly known the extent of his condition.
Following the accident, Schumacher was placed in an induced coma for several weeks and eventually returned home after long periods of intensive care and rehabilitation. However, despite countless rumours and the occasional statement from people close to him, no official medical updates have ever been released. The Schumacher family has consistently prioritised privacy, shielding the former Ferrari driver from public exposure and media speculation.
A British journalist sheds new light
In an attempt to better understand the current situation, British journalist Jonathan McEvoy of the Daily Mail travelled to the Schumacher family’s residence in Mallorca. Although he did not meet Michael Schumacher directly, McEvoy gathered information from sources close to the family and medical team, offering a rare insight into the former champion’s daily life.
According to McEvoy, Schumacher can no longer walk and is moved around his property in a wheelchair. He reportedly requires constant assistance from a dedicated medical team including nurses and physiotherapists who provide round-the-clock care. While this confirms the severity of his physical limitations, it also suggests that Schumacher is no longer confined to bed, which some observers view as a small yet significant sign of improvement.
Contradictions from other sources
This information appears to contradict comments made last year by former Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore, who implied that Schumacher was bedridden.
Briatore, who worked closely with Schumacher when he won his first two world titles in 1994 and 1995, explained why he was reluctant to see the champion in such a condition.
“If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory, and I prefer to remember him like that rather than seeing him bedridden,” he said, also confirming that he remains in contact with Schumacher’s wife, Corinna.
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Questions remain about his mental state
While the revelation that Schumacher uses a wheelchair provides some clarity about his physical condition, far greater uncertainty surrounds his cognitive abilities. This remains the most sensitive and unanswered aspect of his health.
“He can’t tell anyone how he feels,” writes McEvoy, highlighting the difficulty of determining how much Schumacher understands about his surroundings. According to the journalist, there is an impression that the former driver may comprehend certain things, but not everything. Without the ability to communicate clearly, even those closest to him can only make assumptions based on his reactions and behaviour.
As a result, any definitive assessment of Schumacher’s mental state remains impossible. While the family’s decision to avoid public statements has prevented misinformation, it has also left fans worldwide searching for answers.
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A life protected from the public eye
For over twelve years, Corinna Schumacher has remained unwavering in her commitment to protecting her husband’s dignity and privacy. Only a select few trusted individuals are permitted to visit Michael Schumacher, and all medical care takes place behind closed doors. This strict approach has ensured that no photographs, recordings or direct testimonies have ever been released.
While the latest information does not fundamentally change our understanding of Schumacher’s condition, it does provide a clearer picture of his daily life. It confirms that he is alive, cared for and surrounded by medical professionals and family — far from the racing glory that once defined him, but not forgotten.
For millions of fans, he remains a legend. While the full truth about his health may never be known, even small fragments of information continue to resonate deeply within the world of Formula 1.
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RB22 in the hands of Verstappoen: Day 2 Barcelona 2026
Formula One’s biggest technical regulation change in history for 2026 had many amongst the teams, the FIA and FOM concerned they would be perceived a failure at early testing. The first of the pre-season tests – although for contractual reasons with Bahrain its called a shakedown – is now into day two at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Just 39 days after Lando Norris claimed his maiden F1 championship the teams are ready to go with all new cars and powertrains. Yet there have been casualties along the way, with Williams not in attendance for a variety of technical reasons. The first being thy have repeatedly failed the FIA’s crash test for the nose cone together with the fact the car is vastly overweight.
McLaren too have delayed the start to testing their car and Aston Martin have indicated the most they will achieve is some running on the final two days this week. However, seven teams and all the power unit manufacturers with the exception of Honda, were on track as the lights went green in Montmelo on Monday morning. All eyes were on Red Bull who are the first ever F1 customer team to build their own power train, with many expecting them to fall at the first hurdle.
Russell impressed with Red Bull
Yet the sleek RB22 in the hands of Max Verstappen’s new team mate Isack Hadjar, was impressive, even drawing attention from rival drivers and teams. When asked about how the day had gone for Mercedes, George Russell chose to name check the team’s arch rivals Red Bull along with Ferrari as having stand out days.
“For sure we’re very pleased with the day, but I was pretty impressed with a number of other teams, to be honest,” he said.“You see the Red Bull-powered teams, [with] a brand-new power unit, and they had a really smooth day with two cars. Haas did the most laps of everyone with a Ferrari engine.
“So it’s not quite 2014 vibes of half the grid is breaking down and having loads of issues. Formula 1 has evolved so much since then and the level is just so high, from every single aspect. It was pretty impressive to see all the teams on the whole having a lot of laps under their belts on day one,” the Mercedes’ driver concluded.
Whilst the day and the week was supposed to be a black out to the media, the vantage points around the circuit were filled with fans and long lenses alike. Security teams were sent to gently move folk along, although this merely saw them pop up at another viewpoint around the circuit…CONTINUE READING THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
