Europe.– This December 29th marks 12 years since the tragic skiing accident that marked a before and after in the life of the legendary German driver Michael Schumacher, seven-time Formula One world champion, and his entire family. More than a decade after the event, his wife Corinna Schumacher once again moved the world of motorsport with an emotional message published on the ex-driver's social media. “I miss Michael every day. But it's not just me who misses him. It's the children, the family, his father, everyone around him. Everyone misses Michael, but Michael is here; different, but he is here. He keeps showing me how strong he is every day”, wrote Corinna, in a message that quickly went viral and generated shows of support from fans, former drivers and figures from motor sport. On December 29, 2013, Schumacher suffered a serious accident while skiing off-piste in the French resort of Méribel, in the Alps. Upon hitting a rock hidden under the snow, the impact caused him a severe traumatic brain injury, despite wearing a helmet, which split due to the violence of the fall. He was urgently transferred to the hospital in Grenoble, where he underwent two emergency surgeries and remained in an induced coma for several months. Since then, the family has opted for strict secrecy regarding his health condition. After coming out of the coma, the former driver was transferred to Switzerland, where his home was adapted as a specialized medical unit, with permanent care and a team of up to 15 professionals. It is estimated that the annual costs of his care exceed seven million euros.

You may be interested in: A Schumacher Ferrari is sold at auction

Despite the silence surrounding his evolution, in recent years some episodes that sparked hope among his followers became known. In 2024, it was revealed that Schumacher attended his daughter Gina's wedding in Mallorca, under strict security measures. In addition, this year he was transported by helicopter to meet his granddaughter Millie, and symbolically participated in a charity auction by signing, with the help of his wife, a helmet of the former driver Jackie Stewart with the initials “MS”. According to testimonies from people close to him, Michael cannot communicate verbally, but manages to respond through eye movements, which would indicate a minimum level of consciousness. However, the family has reinforced privacy after facing extortion and fake news, including an interview generated with artificial intelligence, for which they had to take legal action.

Currently, only nine people have access to the former driver, including his wife Corinna, his children Mick and Gina-Maria, his former representative Sabine Kehm, the former Formula 1 president Jean Todt, and former collaborators and close drivers.

Every December 29th, the world of motorsport remembers the man who competed in more than 300 Grand Prix, achieved 91 victories, 77 fastest laps and seven world titles, keeping alive the hope that one day good news will arrive about the condition of one of the greatest icons in the history of motor sport.