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Michael Schumacher’s personal lawyer has revealed the reason why we still know nothing about the F1 legend’s health status.
The Schumacher family lawyer, Felix Damm (Image Credit: picture alliance / dpa | Andreas Arnold)The seven-time Formula One World Champion suffered life-threatening injuries while skiing off-piste in France back in 2013. While he managed to survive the accident, the few people that are aware of his condition state that he isn’t the same, mentally or physically, as he once was.
However, this is about as far as the general public are aware of Schumacher’s health and wellbeing these days. The Schumacher family have never released a statement regarding the F1 star’s condition, resulting in much speculation surrounding the extent of his injuries.
The Schumacher family lawyer, Felix Damm, explains the justifiable reason why Michael’s health has remained a closely-guarded secret.
Speaking to Legal Tribune Online, he said: “Of course, we discussed a lot about how this is possible. So we also considered whether a final report about Michael’s health could be the right way to do this.”
Damm goes on to describe how a single statement could disrupt the privacy of the Schumacher family in the long term. He continues: “But that wouldn’t have been the end of it and there would have had to be constantly updated ‘water level reports’. Because as those affected, it is not up to you to put an end to the media.”
“They could pick up on such a report again and again and ask, ‘And what does it look like now?’ one, two, three months or years after the message.”
“And if we then wanted to take action against this reporting, we would have to deal with the argument of voluntary self-disclosure.”
The little we know about Michael’s condition
While the family themselves have never released an official statement, there are a few things we can deduce from comments made by those that have seen and heard from Michael and his immediate relatives.
Michael’s wife Corinna Schumacher has admitted that her husband is noticeably “different”. She said on the Netflix documentary Schumacher: “Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength, I find.”
Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt, who oversaw five of the 54-year-old’s Drivers’ Championship crowns, visits the Schumacher residence once a month. He spoke of Michael: “Let’s leave him alone… we respect the privacy wishes of Corinna and her children, although we know of course that the accident had consequences.”
“I always go to see him. He and his family are my family.”
Michael’s son Mick Schumacher is hoping to continue his father’s legacy in Formula 1. The 24-year-old raced in the sport between 2021-2022 for Haas, and currently serves as reserve driver for the Brackley-based Mercedes outfit.
Feature Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images
