Racing driver cleared of raping Michael Schumacher’s nurse as lawyer issues statement

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.

A trial in Germany has acquitted Australian racing driver Joey Mawson of raping a nurse at Michael Schumacher's home.

A nurse had claimed that she had been raped while unconscious during a cocktail party at Schumacher's home in 2019, and the accused man was last year named as racing driver Mawson, who had been a friend of Mick Schumacher.

The indictment said none of the Schumacher family had been present for the alleged incident.

Bild reports that the verdict for Mawson 'caused widespread incomprehension' in the court as he was not convicted, with the court finding that the claim wasn't proven.

Speaking after the verdict, Mawson's legal representative said: "It's a just verdict; he can finally make plans for the future now that his name has been cleared."

Joey Mawson had been friends with Mick Schumacher (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

According to the German outlet, prosecutors had been seeking a four year sentence for the racing driver if he had been found guilty, and reported that the nurse who made the accusation left the courtroom in tears.

Mawson, who was banned from racing for three years in 2023 over doping, had insisted the sex was consensual.

During the trial the court was shown texts of him apologising to her the morning after the alleged incident, with him messaging: "I’m so sorry from the bottom of my heart. I’m so sorry for the pain I’m causing you.

“I hadn’t realised how drunk I actually was. It wasn’t until the next morning that I realised how drunk I had been. During the night, I had assumed she was less drunk than I realised the next morning.”

Mawson had denied the charges of rape and insisted the sex was consensual (Zak Mauger/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images)

Bild adds that due to the way the Swiss legal system works the nurse has been awarded 30,000 Swiss francs to compensate her for 'moral harm'.

Prosecutors had claimed that the nurse had become unwell after joining the cocktail party once she'd finished her shift, with others laying her down in a room.

They had alleged that Mawson had then returned to the room and raped her, but the court found insufficient evidence to convict him.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.