26 December 2023 , 14:06
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Ralf Schumacher says "life is unfair" in a heartbreaking update on the condition of his brother Michael.
It is almost 10 years to the day that the seven-time Formula One world champion suffered serious head injuries in a skiing accident in Meribel in France, with next to no updates on his condition provided by his family. He spent more than three months in a medically induced coma before returning to Switzerland for further treatment.
He's now cared for by his family at their home in Lausanne, with wife Corinna opting to keep his ongoing recovery private. But now brother Ralf has offered a rare insight into his condition. And he's implied that his brother, 54, will never make a full recovery from the incident, with experts later saying his life was saved because he was wearing a crash helmet.
"I miss the Michael of the old days," he told German outlet Bild via the Daily Mail. "Life is unfair from time to time. Michael was very lucky throughout his life. But then there was this tragic accident."
Schumacher continues to receive round-the-clock expert medical care, a notion his brother acknowledges: "Fortunately, advanced medical science provides many opportunities. However, nothing is like it used to be."
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A documentary series named Being Michael Schumacher is currently airing in Germany, reflecting on the life of a man many deem the greatest ever driver in F1. And his younger sibling also outlined the ongoing impact his current situation was having on his family.
Michael and Ralf Schumacher were close as brothers and both competed in F1 (ullstein bild via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Michael Schumacher the GOAT in F1? Comment below.
Michael Schumacher's son, Mick, followed in the footsteps of his father and uncles by competing in F1 with Haas in 2021 and 2022, before becoming a reserve driver at Mercedes. He was just 14 when, out in the French Alps, his father's skiing accident happened on a family holiday.
"It has been a significant experience for me but, of course, even more so for his children," added Ralf. "Life is unfair at times. That day held a lot of bad luck. This fate has changed our family."
Michael and Ralf were famously close despite competing against each other in F1, with the latter crediting the Ferrari icon for introducing him to motorsport. He would go on to win six times in 182 Grand Prix starts, and continues to hail the man he cites as his career inspiration.
Ralf Schumacher said brother Michael was the inspiration behind his career (Bongarts/Getty Images)"Michael wasn't only my brother," he added. "When we were kids, he was also my coach and mentor. He taught me literally everything about kart racing. There may be an age gap of seven years, but he was always by my side. We raced together, we practised overtaking manoeuvres and everything that matters in motorsports."
Few have been granted access to visit Schumacher since he returned to Switzerland, and he's not since appeared in public. Former Ferrari chief Jean Todt is one of the few outside immediate family to be permitted to see him.
Last week, Schumacher's former manager Willi Weber, admitted he had accepted he would not see his former client again. Speaking to the Cologne Express, Weber 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."