
Offer to help ‘wake up' Michael Schumacher rejected by stricken F1 legend's wife Corinna, ex-teammate reveals
MICHAEL Schumacher
's wife Corinna rejected offers to help "wake up" the F1 legend, a former teammate has revealed.
Italian F1 star Riccardo Patrese said he offered to help the
5
Schumacher has not been seen in public since he suffered a serious head injury in 2013
Credit: Alamy
5
Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna before his accident in 2013
Credit: Alamy
5
Riccardo Patrese said he offerd to help with Schuey's recovery
5
Michael Schumacher (left) with teammate Riccardo Patrese (right)
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
World champion Schumacher has not been seen in public since he
Pal
Patrese said
he believed a familiar voice would help the former Ferarri and Mercedes star to recover from his tragic accident.
He told
: "
Then he had the accident.
"That is a very sad moment. You know that sometimes if they hear [a familiar voice], some boys wake up, that they recognise a voice.
"I asked [Schumacher's wife] Corinna if they wanted me to go there and try to help if I could.
"Well, if I could, I would have, but they said, 'No, thank you'.
She said it's not the moment. But that moment has never come."
Schumacher's wife Corinna has spent the years since creating a private world around Michael as he continues his recovery.
Most read in Motorsport
Over the last decade, his condition has remained a secret.
Schuey Blackmail Plot
Patrese
added: "I know nothing [about his illness], but from the first moment of course I was in very good connection with Michael, because of the national team of drivers for soccer for charity.
"He was the captain of the team. When I left, I gave to him the armband of the captain and he was really very happy to do it."
In 2022,
Late F1 legend
Eddie Jordan told the Irish Mirror he tried to arrange a visit with Schumacher, but his efforts were reportedly rebuffed.
Many pals have previously tried to offer help to the F1 legend get back on his feet.
But one former teammate is hopeful that the Formula One icon is "on the mend" after his first public act in 12 years.
His autograph marks the stricken F1 legend's only public act since his devastating ski accident in the French Alps almost 12 years ago.
He is said to have signed it with the help of Corinna as an image showed his initials "M.S" on the bottom right of the iconic white helmet.
What happened to Michael Schumacher?
MICHAEL Schumacher's life was hanging by a thread 12 years ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries.
The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.
Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then
Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was
He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for
At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.
At the time, medics said
But the coma ended up lasting 250 days - more than eight months.
After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.
Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his
Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but
In 2019, it was said that
Renowned
Following
Schumacher's teammate at Benetton between 1994 to 1995, Johnny Herbert, described the signature as an "emotional" moment.
He told
"We haven't seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it's a sign.
"Hopefully, Michael is on the mend. It's been a long, horrible journey for the family, and maybe we'll hopefully see him in the F1 paddock soon."
Schumacher now lives at a £50million custom-built property on the shores of Lake Geneva in
Only a handful of trusted people are aware of his current health status, including e
He recently
The legendary Formula One driver is believed to have flown from his family's villa in Majorca to their Swiss mansion in a chopper to
Read more on the Irish Sun
Gina revealed she was pregnant shortly after
There was speculation at the time that her
5

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brooks Koepka suffers meltdown and smashes tee marker into fans before withdrawing from LIV Dallas claiming ‘illness'
BROOKS KOEPKA smashed a tee marker towards fans in a shocking meltdown. The five-time major winner lost his temper at the LIV Golf Dallas event yesterday. 4 Brooks Koepka was left raging after a poor tee shot Credit: Fox 4 The five-time major champion smashed his driver on the ground Credit: Fox 4 He then sent a tee marker flying towards fans Credit: Fox 4 Koepka later withdrew through illness Credit: Alamy Koepka got off to a nightmare start at the Maridoe Golf Club with triple bogeys on the fifth and seventh holes. He was seven over par by the time he got to the ninth and his A wild tee shot veered to the left and Koepka angrily smashed his club into the ground. He then turned to a tee marker and READ MORE IN SPORT It went flying close to where fans were standing - but fortunately nobody was hurt. Many are demanding action is taken, with one saying: "He should be fined and suspended." Another added: "Unacceptable behaviour. Anyone doing this needs stiff penalties." A third wrote: "These pros need to stop with the club throws, ground pounds and course destruction." Most read in Golf BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Koepka's struggles continued and he eventually pulled out on the 14th hole due to an illness. Luis Carrera has replaced him in the Smash GC team. Ryder Cup legend in furious argument over golf etiquette with respected TV reporter at US Senior Open Koepka could decide to return to the action this weekend, though he is out the individual event and would only be representing the team. The 35-year-old American is in woeful form after failing to make the cut at the Masters and PGA Championship this year. He has not finished in the top ten in the last nine majors.


The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I fear the worst for my dear pal Michael Schumacher – if only we could know more about how he is
MICHAEL Schumacher's former pal says he fears the worst over the F1 legend's condition. Details Advertisement 4 Michael Schumacher pictured in Monza, Italy in 2005 Credit: Getty 4 Schumacher with his wife Corinna in Madonna di Campiglio in 2003 Credit: AFP 4 Richard Hopkins said the F1 legend ghosted him after he shot to fame Credit: SUPPLIED Ex-Red Bull boss Richard Hopkins - who enjoyed regular coffee breaks with Schumacher in the early 1990s - said the lack of information for more than a decade stokes his fears about his condition. Hopkins, Head of Operations at Red Bull from 2013 to 2015, met He watched as Schumacher's career skyrocketed until he retired in 2012 with a But the following year, Schumacher - now 56 - suffered a devastating head injury while skiing on Alpine slopes in Advertisement More on Schumacher Protective wife Corinna has not revealed And Hopkins says the longer time goes on without an update, the more he fears about the true nature of his health. He told The Sun: "It's a shame and I wish we all knew a bit more. I get it and I understand it, it's very private to them. "But the danger of course is that we all make assumptions of how he is, and probably none of our assumptions are accurate. Advertisement Most read in Motorsport Exclusive "We create an assumption that is probably worse and darker than his condition probably is, and then a lot of us look on the bright side and hope it's a lot better than it actually is. "I saw the recent story about him signing a crash helmet, and there's an MS on it. We'd all love to believe he got a pen out the draw and signed it but there was probably some assistance along the way. "I wish we had a better idea, not just me, all of us in motor racing. It's sad because even the 'keep fighting Michael' message has kind of been forgotten. 'But it's life and we all move on. It's very sad that we just don't know and we don't hear from him. It's sad that he doesn't attend races or make public appearances. Advertisement 'He was an amazing guy, extraordinary character and amazingly successful." Close pal Flavio Briatore, who led Schumacher to his first two titles at Benetton, recently offered a heartbreaking insight into his health. He appeared to confirm Schumacher, who joined Ferrari after Benetton where he won five titles, What do we know about Schumacher since his accident? MICHAEL Schumacher's life changed forever on December 29, 2013, when a skiing accident left the seven-time F1 champion with a severe brain injury. Since then, his family has protected his privacy, with only a select few remaining in contact with the racing legend. December 29, 2013 - The skiing accident : Schumacher suffers a life-threatening head injury while skiing off-piste in Méribel, France. He falls and hits his head on a rock, causing severe brain trauma despite wearing a helmet. He is airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he undergoes two emergency surgeries. Doctors place him in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain. January 2014 - Schumacher fights for his life : Schumacher remains in a coma. Doctors describe his condition as 'critical but stable'. His family, led by wife Corinna, remains at his bedside. The world's F1 community rallies behind him, with fans holding vigils outside the hospital. June 2014 - Schumacher brought out of his coma : After nearly six months, Schumacher is brought out of his coma. His family confirms he is no longer in a coma but gives no further health details. He is transferred from Grenoble to a rehabilitation facility in Lausanne, Switzerland. September 2014 - Back home: Schumacher is moved to his family home near Lake Geneva. Corinna announces he will continue his recovery at home, with a dedicated medical team. 2015–2018 - Mystery surrounding his health: Reports suggest Schumacher is receiving round-the-clock medical care at home, costing £50,000 per week. Jean Todt reveals he still visits Schumacher and that they watch F1 races together. May 2017 - German magazine sued by Schumacher's family: The magazine Bunte has to pay Michael Schumacher €50,000 (£42,000) in damages after claiming in 2015 that Schumacher would walk again. The Hamburg regional court determined that the statement was false and infringed upon Schumacher's right to privacy. September 2019 - Schumacher secretly transferred to Paris : French media reports that Schumacher is taken to Paris for stem cell therapy at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital. The procedure is led by renowned surgeon Dr. Philippe Menasché. Details of the treatment remain undisclosed. December 2019 - Manager issues rare statement : Schumacher's longtime manager Sabine Kehm says his condition will remain private. She dismisses speculation and false reports about his health. September 2021 - Netflix documentary 'Schumacher' released : A new Netflix documentary, Schumacher, provides rare insights into his life. Corinna speaks publicly about his condition for the first time, saying: 'Michael is here. Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength.' December 2023 - 10 years since the accident : Schumacher turns 55. The anniversary of his accident is marked by tributes from the F1 world. Jean Todt confirms he still sees Schumacher regularly and describes his visits as 'full of affection'. September 2024 - Daughter Gina's wedding : Gina Schumacher, 27, marries longtime boyfriend Iain Bethke at the family's £27million Majorca villa. Reports claim Schumacher attends the wedding, but close friend Johnny Herbert later calls it 'A1 fake news'. Guests are reportedly required to hand over their phones to prevent leaks. March 2025 - Schumacher becomes a grandfather : Daughter Gina announces arrival of first child with husband Iain Bethke. The pair tied the knot in September 2024. Gina revealed the birth on Instagram and wrote: "Welcome to the world, Millie. Born on March 29th, our hearts are fuller than ever." Briatore told Corriere della Sera: 'If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory. Advertisement 'I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed.' Hopkins said he used to bump into Corinna but hasn't seen her, or anyone else close to him, since the crash. He added: 'I just haven't crossed paths with them. 'The Advertisement 'Everything about Michael's situation is kept private, and those who are close to him, including his nursing team, are bound by an absolute circle of trust. 'I did meet Corinna a couple of times, if only just to say hi and everything else. My interactions with Michael weren't shared with Corinna. 'But even if I did bump into her now, and I asked how Michael was, she would probably just say he's fine. I didn't know her well enough for her to share information with me." What happened to Michael Schumacher? MICHAEL Schumacher's life was hanging by a thread 12 years ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries. The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain. Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed. At the time, medics said But the coma ended up lasting 250 days - more than eight months. After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment. Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status. Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but In 2019, it was said that Renowned Following He added: 'If he could be at a race today, I wonder if he would be? I wonder if he would love it today, rocking up at a race track, everyone would love him being there. Advertisement "But I don't think he would, actually. I think he'd spend more time on other interests, spending more time on a bloody horse than a race track now!" Schumacher retired in 2006 but made a brief comeback for Mercedes from 2010 to 2012. He is widely considered among the best to ever race in the sport. Only small hints have been released about his health since the accident. Advertisement Briatore's ex-wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci, previously said he doesn't speak but communicates with his eyes. Corinna has also previously said he is now 'different, but here'. 4

The 42
18 hours ago
- The 42
Hamilton given formal warning as difficult Ferrari start continues
LEWIS HAMILTON'S DIFFICULT start to life at Ferrari continued on Friday as he was handed a warning by the race stewards after winding up 10th in second practice for the Austrian Grand Prix. The seven-time champion was alleged to have impeded his successor at Mercedes, Italian teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli, at turn four of the fast and technical Red Bull Ring circuit in the Styrian Alps. Hamilton apologised immediately and explained that he had not seen Antonelli approaching behind him as he descended over the crest of a hill on a slow lap and drifted into the racing line. Hamilton raised his hand to signal his apology to Antonelli as he passed him. After speaking to Hamilton, the stewards decided to give the Briton a formal warning — the usual sanction for such a misdemeanour in practice. It is the third time this season that Hamilton has been warned. 'The driver of car 44 (Hamilton), although constantly checking his mirrors after being informed by the team about car 12 (Antonelli) closing in, slowly moved on to the racing line on the approach to turn four and thereby unnecessarily impeded car 12 which had to take evasive action,' said the stewards in a statement. Hamilton was given a three-place grid drop at the Monaco Grand Prix where he impeded four-time champion Max Verstappen in qualifying when his race engineer Riccardo Adami wrongly informed him that the Dutchman was not on a flying lap. Advertisement Hamilton struggled with gearbox problems on Friday as he evaluated a new floor design on his Ferrari car. His teammate Charles Leclerc was fifth, six-tenths off the pace of McLaren's Lando Norris. Offaly teenager Alex Dunne, a McLaren junior and the current Formula 2 Championship leader, finished fourth in his first ever F1 session as he temporarily deputised for Lando Norris. Meanwhile, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff suggested he was interested in signing Max Verstappen to partner George Russell in a potentially explosive driver line-up for the 2026 season. During a series of interviews, it emerged that he had made contract with the four-time world champion and that this had affected contract talks with Russell who has been in outstanding form this year. Russell told Sky Sports F1 that it was entirely 'normal that conversations with the likes of Verstappen are ongoing', adding that a team that aims to win the championship has to go for the best drivers, engineers and pit-crews to succeed. 'But from my side, if I'm performing as I'm doing, what have I got to be concerned about? There are two seats in every Formula 1 team.' Wolff has flirted with the idea of recruiting Verstappen for some time, but also expressed satisfaction with the current partnership of Russell and teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli — a precocious talent, but not yet an experienced or metronomic points-scorer. It may be, as many seasoned observers believe, that Wolff feels he can manage the testy rivalry between Russell and Verstappen, who have clashed several times in the last year both on and off the track. But, he conceded, it remains much more likely that Russell will stay at Mercedes next year -– his contract ends this season -– than that Verstappen, who is contracted to Red Bull until 2028, will arrive. 'He has been part of our programme for 10 years,' Wolff said. 'He's always performed to the expectations and he's continuing to do so. These are normal business contract discussions as I have been doing for 30 years… And contract discussions are not held in Town Halls.' He added in a separate interview: 'At the moment, clearly you need to explore what's happening in the future, but it doesn't change anything of what I said before about George, about Kimi, about the line-up that I'm extremely happy having'. Verstappen declined to comment on the speculation when asked in a news conference on Thursday, but he is known to be frustrated with his Red Bull car this year. 'I don't think we need to talk about that,' the 27-year-old said. 'It's not really on my mind. Just driving well, trying to push the performance and then we focus on next year.' Much may depend on events at Red Bull where long-serving team consultant Helmut Marko is a key part of Verstappen's inner circle, but may be considering his own future amid reports that four-time champion Sebastian Vettel has been approached to replace him. In the wake of the departures of F1′s most successful designer Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to Sauber-Audi, it could be that Verstappen is also ready to leave. Next year will see F1 move into a new era with major rule changes requiring new engines and new cars –- an opportunity that may favour a Mercedes revival. – © AFP 2025