Michael Schumacher’s wife Corinna broke down in tears while accepting an award on behalf of her husband this week after admitting that he is 'different now'.
Schumacher is regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, winning 91 Grand Prix’s and notching up seven world championship titles throughout his glittering career.
But just over a year after retiring for the second time, Schumacher became involved in a serious skiing accident in December 2013, in which he suffered a traumatic brain injury which required him to be put into a medically-induced coma.
Though he has since awoken and remains at home, Schumacher has never been seen in public since the accident as his family seeks to keep the details of his condition private.
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But upon accepting the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia on behalf of her husband last week, Corinna Schumacher broke down in tears and shared some public comments about her husband for the first time.
"I miss Michael every day. But it's not just me who misses him," Corinna said, whilst fighting back tears.
"It's the children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here.
"Different, but he's here and that gives us strength, I find."
She went on: "We try to carry on a family as Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives. 'Private is private', as he always said. It is very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible.
"Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael."
Corinna was joined onstage by their daughter Gina to accept the award, with their son Mick - now an F1 driver himself for Haas. The prestigious prize was handed to Schumacher in recognition of his achievements in the field of motosports.
In handing out the award, North-Rhine-Westphalia state premier Henrik Wust hailed the contribution that Schumacher had made. He paid tribute to the former racing driver for his work both on and off track.
“In Michael Schumacher we are honouring a man today who not only stands out for his sporting achievements. But above all, we pay tribute to Michael Schumacher beyond racing and the spotlight. [He] has a big heart and for whom it was important to think about others," Wust said.
Schumacher’s former Ferrari teammate Jean Todt was also in attendance at the event, and shared his own thoughts on his friend’s condition and wife’s tears.
“That’s just natural. No one planned it to be so emotional that tears were shed by Corinna, but sometimes it’s good to not always control yourself,” he said.
“I don’t miss Michael. I can see him. But of course, what I miss is what we used to do together.”
Tom Sanders