In the wake of Michael Schumacher‘s tragic skiing accident a decade ago, the 7-time World champion’s condition remains a closely guarded secret. As fans and the media continue to seek updates about his health, Felix Damm, Schumacher’s long-standing press lawyer, sheds light on the reasons behind the silence.
Schumacher’s catastrophic accident in 2013 left him in a near-unresponsive state after suffering a severe head injury, which plunged him into a coma. Despite the passage of time, a full recovery seems increasingly unlikely, with experts in the field casting doubts. This adversity has tested the strength and resilience of his wife, Corinna, who has drawn inspiration from Michael’s life philosophy: to “never give anything away.” A tenet that he not only practiced on the racing track but also in life, shielding his personal world from the prying eyes of the media.
Guarding the legacy: The Schumacher family’s quest for privacy amidst public intrigue
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Reflecting on the legend’s guarded nature, James Allen, in his book ‘Michael Schumacher – The Edge of Greatness,’ writes, “But what people find difficult when contemplating the phenomenon of Michael Schumacher is reaching an understanding of the character of the man himself… His sporting ethos was ‘never give anything away’ and that principle applied as much to his character as to competition on the race.”
The demand for updates on the health of Michael Schumacher has been plentiful since his 2013 skiing accident, and now his long-time press lawyer Felix Damm explains why little information has been made public.
Wife Corinne explained in the Netflix documentary Schumacher that… pic.twitter.com/xzQqB0z4Wa
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) October 31, 2023
In response to the continuous clamor for more details on Schumacher’s health, Damm expressed the family’s concerns. He said, “It has always been about protecting private matters.” Highlighting the potential pitfalls of releasing a final health report, he added, “But that wouldn’t have been the end of it… media could pick on such a report again and again and ask: ‘And what does it look like now’, one, two, or three months or years after the message.”
Damm concluded with a message of gratitude for the understanding fans, saying, “I believe that the vast majority of fans can deal with [Schumacher’s condition well] and also respect the fact that the accident has set in motion a process in which privacy is necessary and will now continue to be observed.”
Read More: Michael Schumacher’s Friendship Absolves Jos Verstappen of Rumored Tough Love for Son Max
While the Schumacher family navigates the complexities of Michael’s health and legacy, the torch of racing continues to burn bright in the next generation. Michael’s son, Mick Schumacher, isn’t just riding the coattails of his father’s legendary name but is carving a niche for himself in the world of motorsports.
Mick Schumacher in talks with Alpine for 2024 World Endurance Championship seat
After facing challenges in his recent Formula 1 stint, Mick Schumacher might be exploring new horizons. Alpine team boss Bruno Famin has unveiled that the team is in ongoing talks with Schumacher for a potential 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC) seat, noting their satisfaction with his recent performance during a test session.
#WEC | Mick Schumacher testing Alpine’s LMDh 👀
The German has been heavily linked to a drive with the team, and on Tuesday sampled the A424 at Jerez.
Team Principal Philippe Signault described it as “first contact.”@sportscar365 | #Alpine #Schumacher pic.twitter.com/Sz7131014b
— Only Endurance (@onlyendurance) October 18, 2023
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Recently, Mick undertook a multi-day test drive at Spain’s Jerez circuit, maneuvering Alpine’s Hypercar. This has stoked speculations about him potentially filling one of the six available seats in Alpine’s two-car WEC lineup for 2024.
Addressing the media ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Famin confirmed, “Mick tested the car in Jerez 10 days ago or eight days ago. We were very happy with his performance, his global performance, how he was with the team and I think he was happy too. That means that we can still discuss about trying to do something next year together. But here we are only [at this stage].”
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The racing community now eagerly anticipates whether Mick Schumacher will steer his career towards endurance racing, potentially bringing a fresh wave of attention to the WEC.