Michael Schumacher’s former boss Jean Todt has opened up on his relationship with the Formula One icon after his horror skiing accident in 2013.
Schumacher, 56, was involved in a life-changing accident 12 years ago and he has not made a public appearance since.
His family have been keen to maintain Schumacher’s privacy while he receives permanent medical care, with only a select few people able to visit the German superstar.
Todt, who was Ferrari team principal for five of Schumacher’s seven world championship wins, has revealed he remains in contact with his former employee and goes to visit him regularly as a friend.
‘The family has decided not to answer the question (on his condition),’ Todt told La Repubblica. ‘A choice that I respect.
‘I see him regularly and with affection, him and his family. Our bond goes beyond the past work. It is part of my life, which today is very far from Formula 1.’
Michael Schumacher won five world titles while Jean Todt (right) was Ferrari team principal
Todt has revealed he still goes to visit Schumacher regularly after his 2013 skiing accident
Schumacher became an F1 legend under Todt’s guidance at Ferrari, but has not been seen in public since his accident
Reports emerged last year that Schumacher had finally been seen in public to attend his daughter Gina’s wedding.
Gina tied the knot with her boyfriend Iain Bethke at the family’s luxury villa in Majorca, and it was claimed that Schumacher was there to witness the ceremony.
Guests were reportedly forced to hand over their phones to prevent photos being leaked of the stricken ex-racing driver.
However, his close friend Johnny Herbert, who raced in Formula One between 1989 and 2000, later rubbished the reports and described them as ‘fake news’.
Herbert told Flashscore in November: ‘It will always be a closed shop. The most recent rumour was he attended his daughter’s wedding. Unfortunately, from what I understand that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it.’