18 December 2023 , 17:08
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Michael Schumacher's former manager has given up hope of ever seeing the stricken Formula 1 legend again.
Schumacher won seven world titles in a glittering career which ended in 2012. But just a year later he suffered terrible injuries in a skiing accident in Meribel, France. He survived but requires round-the-clock care from his doting wife Corinna and a team of medical professionals. Details of his exact condition have remained a secret with the Schumacher family determined to protect the privacy of the former racer. Only a small circle of family members and friends are trusted with those details. And one of those famously kept in the dark is his former manager Willi Weber, who did not visit his old client and friend in hospital in the weeks after the accident.
And that is something he deeply regrets. Speaking to the Cologne Express, almost 10 years to the day since the crash, Weber admitted he will likely never get the chance to make up for it. He said: "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. And of his failure to visit Schumacher's bedside, he added: "Of course, I regret that very much and blame myself. 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'."
One of those who does get to regularly visit his old friend is Jean Todt, the ex-FIA president who worked with Schumacher for many years during his glory years at Ferrari. Last week, the Frenchman told L'Equipe of the way the German has changed since the accident - without giving away any details.
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He said: "[Schumacher] is simply not the Michael he used to be. He is different and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him. His life is different now and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him. That's all there is to say. Unfortunately, fate struck him 10 years ago. He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1."