The way that racing legend Michael Schumacher communicates following his near-fatal skiing accident has been revealed.
When you speak about legends in Formula One, Schumacher has to be in the conversation having won the joint-most Drivers' Championships at seven, which is only matched by Lewis Hamilton.
Best known for his time at Ferrari, he also holds the record of most consecutive title wins at five, from 2000-2004 - the German was a true trailblazer for the sport.
Advert
Having retired in 2006 before making a return in 2010 and calling it a day in 2012, Schumacher suffered a horrific injury just one year after ending his career.
While on a skiing holiday with his family in 2013, Schumacher was making his way down the French Alps with his son Mick, then 14, as the retired racing driver went across an off-piste area of the slope.
He then fell and hit his head on a boulder that was concealed from view by snowfall, which would have been fatal if he wasn't wearing a helmet.
The then-44-year-old still suffered critical head injuries and was airlifted to hospital, where he was put in a medically-induced coma due to the traumatic brain injury he sustained, only leaving to go home nine months after the accident.
Advert
Ever since this incident, the former F1 champion has been completely out of the public eye, while a statement released the following year informed fans that he wasn't in a coma anymore, and was instead 'continuing a long phase of rehabilitation', though little of his condition is known 11 years on.
His family have kept details of his health private, as updates have remained scarce.
Schumacher's agent Sabine Kehm said the family was 'forced' to deny reports that the German could move again, and released a statement, saying that these claims were 'not true', adding: "Such speculation is irresponsible, because given the seriousness of his injuries, his privacy is very important.
"Unfortunately they also give false hopes to many involved people."
Advert
Former Formula 1 Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore's ex-wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci previously revealed how the ex-racer communicates without speaking: "Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes,
"Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.
"They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house."
It was reported in 2020 that Schumacher had been moved to the south-west of Majorca from his family's previous Swiss home.
Advert
Speaking to L'Equipe, former Ferrari boss Jean Todt stated that the seven-time world champion was being 'wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him', adding: "His life is different now and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him. That’s all there is to say."
In a 2021 Netflix documentary about his life, his son Mick said: "I think dad and me, we would understand each other now in a different way now."
Topics: Michael Schumacher, Sport, Health, Celebrity, Formula 1
Joshua Nair