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Home / Sport

Motorsport: Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt reveals intimate insight into Michael Schumacher's activity

news.com.au
7 Dec, 2018 08:46 PM4 mins to read

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Michael Schumacher. Photo / Getty

Michael Schumacher. Photo / Getty

Michael Schumacher's former Ferrari boss has revealed the F1 hero watched Lewis Hamilton win the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix at his home in Switzerland.

Jean Todt, 72, now FIA President, is among the few people to have access to Schumacher since he was injured while skiing in the French Alps five years ago, The Sun reports.

Schumacher, 49, was critically injured on December 29 2013, while skiing with his son Mick in Meribel.

The sporting icon was placed in a medically-induced coma and reportedly received $200,000-a-week care at a special medical facility at his Lake Geneva home.

He still needs round the clock care and is only visited by a select few, including Todt, who served as CEO of Ferrari during Schumacher's period of dominance.

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Todt has now revealed he travelled Schumacher's house in Gland, Switzerland, to watch Lewis Hamilton clinch the Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen.

Michael Schumacher and Ferrari celebrates with Jean Todt after victory at the Italian Grand Prix in 2006. Photo / Getty
Michael Schumacher and Ferrari celebrates with Jean Todt after victory at the Italian Grand Prix in 2006. Photo / Getty

In an interview with Germany's Auto-Bild, Todt said: "Actually, I'm always careful when I say something. But it's true, I watched the Brazilian Grand Prix in Switzerland with Michael."

The Frenchman was the manager of the Ferrari team when Schumacher claimed five consecutive championships from 2000 to 2004 when the two became close friends.

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Todt has previously claimed he will always stand by the F1 hero and revealed he visits him twice a month.

"Pictures of him hang everywhere in my offices and apartments. The time with Michael will always be remembered as the best of my life."

Last month German archbishop Georg Ganswein told how he had made an emotional visit to see the seven-time F1 champion in 2016.

He said although Schumacher's face has "become a little fuller" the record-breaking driver still looks the same as he did when last seen by his millions of fans.

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"I sat opposite him, took hold of both hands and looked at him," the 62-year-old — who is one of Pope Francis's key advisers — said according to German newspaper Bild.

"He senses that loving people are around him, caring for him and, thank God, keeping the overly curious public away."

Last month Schumacher's son spoke about how he compares himself to his "idol" father and the happy times the pair spent together before the F1 legend's ski accident.

Mick Schumacher at the final race of the Formula 3 Championship. Photo / Getty
Mick Schumacher at the final race of the Formula 3 Championship. Photo / Getty

Nineteen-year-old Mick opened up about the time he and his dad spent together before the accident and how his father encouraged his own ambitions to become a driver.

The interview provided a heartbreaking insight into the hole the accident created within the Schumacher family.

"My dad asked if we wanted to do it professionally or just for fun, on a hobby level," said Mick, in an emotional interview on Germany's RTL channel.

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"Of course, I said it clearly — I want to do it professionally.

"We drove on days when the track was closed and we were allowed to do our laps there.

"All the refining we did to be faster was also a lot. That was always the best time."

Mick is now the European Formula 3 champion but in the "Schumacher — the next generation" program he said he doesn't mind being compared to his father.

"I do not mind it that way. I would always compare myself with the best, and my dad is the best, and he's my idol too," he said.

Having a famous father can "open doors and make things easier" but in the end "you are sitting there alone", said Mick.

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Schumacher's family have kept tight control on details about his condition. In an interview earlier in November, Mick's close friend Nicklas Nielsen said he is "completely closed" about his dad's health.

Mr Nielsen told Danish newspaper BT: "Mick does not say he is sad about his father. He just said sometimes that it is sometimes hard.

"I know him very well, also privately. He is a very quiet and calm guy. Very nice and welcoming and he talks to everyone.

"It was completely closed and not talked about. I still do a little karting with Ralf Schumacher and his team and nobody talks about it."

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