Former Michael Schumacher manager Willi Weber has revealed that he continues to suffer nightmares and episodes of panic following a violent robbery at his Stuttgart villa, as three men accused of carrying out the attack prepare to face trial. The 84-year-old says the ordeal left him fearing for his life after the intruders threatened him with a knife and a pistol before forcing him to reveal the code to his safe.
The attack took place on December 9, 2025, with the case now approaching a trial scheduled to begin on November 17, 2026. According to German newspaper Bild, the three Romanian suspects are accused of carrying out the robbery and subjecting Weber and his wife to a terrifying ordeal inside their home.
Intruders seized housekeeper before entering Weber’s villa
According to the account published by Bild, the incident began at approximately 18:26 local time when the alleged perpetrators confronted Weber’s housekeeper outside his Stuttgart property.
The three men reportedly took her keys, restrained her and covered her mouth before gaining access to the villa. They subsequently confronted Weber and his wife, binding them with cable ties and removing watches from their wrists.
The intruders were reportedly searching for valuables and money stored inside the property. What followed was an increasingly violent confrontation that left the former Formula 1 manager fearing for his life.
Willi Weber threatened with knife and pistol
The alleged attackers are said to have threatened Weber with a knife featuring an 18-centimetre blade and a pistol while demanding the combination to his safe.
Initially, Weber refused to provide the code, despite the threats.
Speaking to Bild shortly after the incident, he recalled the violence inflicted upon him by the intruders.
“I didn’t want to reveal the number. Then they repeatedly punched me in the face.”
The assault reportedly left Weber with a bloodshot right eye, while his nose and lower lip became badly swollen.
Eventually, fearing that the violence would escalate further, Weber gave the intruders the safe combination.
According to the newspaper, the perpetrators escaped with approximately €55,000, alongside jewellery and other valuable possessions.
The financial loss was substantial, but the psychological consequences have proved considerably more difficult for the former Schumacher confidant to overcome.
Three suspects arrested in Romania
The investigation eventually produced a breakthrough approximately three months after the robbery.
According to Bild, investigators traced the suspects using mobile phone data, helping authorities identify the alleged perpetrators. The three men were subsequently arrested in Romania.
They are now facing criminal proceedings in connection with the attack, with the trial expected to begin on November 17.
Weber has spoken about the lasting impact of the experience ahead of the court proceedings, revealing that the memories continue to affect his everyday life.
“I still have nightmares. During the day, there are moments when panic takes hold of me and I start shaking,” he told Bild.
The 84-year-old admitted that he would like to forget what happened, but the psychological scars have not disappeared.
Schumacher’s former manager remains a familiar figure in Formula 1
Weber is best known for managing Michael Schumacher during the German driver’s rise to international superstardom.
He took Schumacher under his wing in 1988 and remained one of the most influential figures in the seven-time world champion’s professional career for more than two decades.
Their professional relationship ended in 2010, when Schumacher was preparing for his Formula 1 comeback with Mercedes.
During that period, Weber helped guide Schumacher through his successful Benetton and Ferrari years, establishing himself as one of the most recognisable managers in motorsport.
Schumacher subsequently withdrew from public life following his devastating skiing accident in the French Alps in December 2013.
Although Weber and Schumacher eventually went their separate ways professionally, the former manager remains closely associated with the German racing legend’s remarkable career.
Now, however, Weber is facing a very different battle, as he attempts to recover from an ordeal that continues to haunt him nearly a year after the attack.
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Clara Marlowe is a Formula 1 writer at TJ13 with over 15 years of experience in motorsport journalism, having contributed features to established sports magazines such as Evo, MCN, Wisden Cricket Monthly and other digital outlets.
Clara specialises in human-interest storytelling, focusing on the individuals behind the sport, including drivers, engineers, and team personnel whose roles are often overlooked in mainstream coverage.
At TJ13, Clara contributes long-form features and narrative-driven pieces that explore the personal and professional journeys within Formula 1. This includes coverage of career-defining moments, internal team dynamics, and the human impact of high-pressure competition.
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Clara has a particular interest in how personal narratives intersect with performance, and how individual experiences shape outcomes across a Formula 1 season.
The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. 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.
