27 February 2023 , 12:16
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Eddie Jordan has shared sympathy for Michael Schumacher's family as a result of the Formula 1 legend's tragic condition.
Schumacher suffered serious brain trauma following an accident while skiing with son Mick in the French Alps back in December 2013. This year will mark a decade since the seven-time world champion was pulled from public view as a result of his paralysis and inability to communicate.
The incident was one of the most tragic events to affect those in F1 and particularly his family, who have opted to keep their lives largely private since it occurred. Jordan, 74, shared a bond with Schumacher after giving the German his first start as an F1 driver in 1991, though he was unable to retain his talents beyond that year's Belgian Grand Prix.
And the former team owner has opened up on his heartbreak for Schumacher's son, Mick, telling OLBG: "It can't be easy knowing that your father is not able to be part of the family." Jordan went on to detail Schumacher Sr. is "there but he's not there" almost 10 years on from the life-changing tragedy.
The former Ferrari and Mercedes star is understood to have received numerous surgeries in an effort to improve his condition. It was reported in 2019 that Schumacher had received stem cell treatment to reduce inflammation, and it was suggested soon after that he was "conscious" following the surgery.
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Eddie Jordan has said old friend Michael Schumacher is "there but not there" almost 10 years on from his traumatic skiing accident (Hoch Zwei/Corbis via Getty Images)The businessman went on to voice further compassion for Mick's current situation, heading into the new season as Mercedes' reserve driver after being let go by Haas at the end of last term. He detailed the pursuit that led to him teaming up with generational talent 'Schumi', even if their partnership was short-lived.
"Maybe it was the right thing that happened, but it touched me because I felt so much about Michael," said the Irishman. "I went out of my way to find him, give him his first chance in Spa, didn't last very long but that love for him still lasts and will always do so while I'm able to draw breath."
Seven-time F1 world champion Schumacher is one of the most beloved figures in motorsport (Bongarts/Getty Images)After catching the eye in qualifying at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacher was poached by Benetton, while Jordan lost his attempt at an injunction over the deal, because the driver had not signed a contract with his team. Schumacher went on to spend four full seasons with the now-defunct outfit and won his first two championships in the final two before joining Ferrari in 1996.
What soon followed was arguably the most dominant run of any driver in F1 history, with the 54-year-old hoovering up five straight titles between 2000 and 2004. Jordan was a rival throughout that reign and got an up-close look at his legacy in the making, inspiring an admiration for the icon that never waned.