Michael Schumacher's former Formula One boss gives new worrying insight into legend's condition
By WILL GRIFFEE
Flavio Briatore has given an insight into Michael Schumacher's condition, 12-years on from the skiing accident that gave the Formula One icon a life-changing brain injury.
Briatore, 75, led Benetton when Schumacher won his first two titles back to back and now works for Alpine as executive adviser and de facto team principal.
The Italian was close with Schumacher, who has not appeared in public since his accident 2013 and is cared for by a team of medical staff and his wife Corinna at their Lake Geneva home.
The family remain protective of his privacy and little is known about the specifics of his condition but Briatore appeared to confirm that the 54-year-old is bed-bound.
'If I close my eyes', he told Corriere della Sera, 'I see him smiling after a victory.
'I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though.'
Flavio Briatore (left), pictured with Michael Schumacher (right) in 1995 in Monza, gave an update on the Formula One legend's condition
Schumacher (pictured in 2005) hasn't been seen in public since a skiing accident in 2013
Briatore's update comes after his ex-wife Elisabetta Gregoraci had previously revealed: 'Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes.
'Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.'
Claims that Schumacher is unable to speak appeared to be supported by his son, Mick, during a 2021 Netflix documentary about his father's life.
The 26-year-old driver said: 'I think dad and me, we would understand each other now in a different way now.'
In the documentary, Corinna did also provide a rare update, revealing he continues to undergo rehabilitation for the life-changing injuries he suffered and claimed he is now 'different, but here'.
In April, Schumacher signed a special helmet with the help of Corinna to be auctioned off for charity.
Johnny Herbert, Schumacher's teammate at Benetton in 1994 and 1995, said his signature was an 'emotional' moment.
Herbert expressed his hope that Schumacher's contribution was a sign that the 56-year-old is 'on the mend'.
Schumacher's family remain very protective of his privacy (pictured with wife Corinna in 2005)
He signed MS on a white helmet with Royal Stewart Tartan, as worn by Jackie Stewart in his career
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'It’s wonderful news that Michael Schumacher signed Jackie Stewart's helmet,' Herbert told FastSlots.
'It was a wonderful moment.
'We haven't seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it's a sign.'
Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, having claimed the world title in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
He also added 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums to his name during his iconic racing career.
When Briatore was asked who the greatest driver of all time is, he told Corriere de Sera: 'I don't know who the greatest is, because we've had Schumacher, Senna, Alonso.
'Now, the number one is definitely (Max) Verstappen. I have two cars at Alpine, so I would like to have two Verstappens.'
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