Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says he wouldn't wish Michael Schumacher's condition on his "worst enemy," admitting that the situation remains "difficult."
It's been nearly 10 years to the day since F1 legend Schumacher, now 54, hit his head on a rock while skiing with his family in the Alps, leaving him in a medically-induced coma for six months before needing further rehabilitative treatment. In the decade since, the seven-time world champion's family have chosen to keep details of his condition private, with Schumacher requiring round-the-clock care from loving wife Corinna and a team of medical specialists.
Domenicali used to work with the German at Ferrari and speaking to La Gazaetta dello Sport, the F1 chief remarked: "It seems like yesterday his accident in Meribel, they are episodes that change your life.
"Out of respect for him and his family we must stay close to him, this difficult situation remains. What is between me and the family remains private, but living like this for ten years is something you would never wish even on your worst enemy."
The Italian's comments come just days after Schumacher's former manager, Willi Weber, admitted that he's given up hope of ever seeing his friend again.
Speaking to the Cologne Express, Weber admitted: "When I think of Michael now, unfortunately I don't have anymore hope that I will see him again. No positive news after 10 years."
The 81-year-old also addressed his failure to visit Schumacher by his bedside while he was still in hospital. "Of course, I regret that very much and blame myself." Weber added. "I should have visited Michael in the hospital. I mourned like a dog after his accident. It hit me incredibly hard, you can imagine that. But at some point, the point came when I had to free myself from Michael and let go."
"Even three or four years later, people who recognised me kept asking me, 'You're Schumacher's ex-manager. How is Michael?' Then I stopped trying to explain and thought, 'Why doesn't anyone ask how I'm doing?' For me it was clear, 'Well, now it's over. This crap needs to get out of my head'."
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AFP/Getty Images)Wife Corinna has imposed a "family only" rule which ensures that no one barring those closest to the 54-year-old can visit him at their lakeside mansion in Lausanne, Switzerland. Speaking during a rare public appearance in July 2022, she admitted that her husband is "different" following the accident.
"I miss Michael every day," Corinna admitted after accepting the State Prize of North-Rhine-Westphalia on behalf of Schumacher. "But it's not just me who misses him. It's the children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here. Different, but he's here and that gives us strength, I find.
"We try to carry on a family as Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives. 'Private is private', as he always said. It is very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael."
