| Michael Schumacher report slammed as ‘irresponsible’ |
ALMOST exactly two years to the day since Michael Schumacher suffered horrific head injuries in a skiing accident, a magazine has been heavily criticised for running a story that provided “false hope”.
German glossy magazine Bunte ran a cover story this week claiming the seven-time F1 world champion was walking again.
Quoting a “confidante” of Schumacher’s, the report claimed the 46-year-old was “very thin — but he can once again walk a little with the help of his therapist”.
“He manages to walk a few steps. He can even raise his arm,” the story added.
Schumacher’s long-term manager Sabine Kehm slammed the claims.
“Unfortunately, we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could move again is not true,” Kehm said.
“Such speculation is irresponsible, because given the seriousness of his injuries, his privacy is very important for Michael.
“Unfortunately they also give false hopes to many involved people.”
Bunte, however, stood by its article and refused to retract the piece, which also described Schumacher’s recovery as a “Christmas miracle”.
Schumacher hit his head on a rock while skiing in the French Alps on December 29, 2013.
He underwent two brain surgeries and was left in an induced coma.
In September 2014m, Schumacher was transported from hospital to his Lake Geneva home, where a purpose-built medical suite was constructed to provide round-the-clock care.
Updates on his condition have been scarce since. Kehm said in April that Schumacher was “making progress” but was still unable to move or speak.
Last month, FIA president Jean Todt said: “I see Michael very often and Michael is still fighting.
“Michael is a close friend, his family is very close to me and I am very close to them as well. We must keep him fighting with the family.”
In more positive news, the Schumacher name looks set to continue in motorsport after his son Mick Jnr finished his debut Formula Four season 10th overall.
“The season was fun,” the 16-year-old told German broadcaster Sport1, “we’ll have to see about next year.”
His famous father enjoyed 91 wins and 155 podium finishes in his Formula 1 career and Mick Jnr’s introduction to motorsport was more modest.
Over the season’s 24 races, at eight venues, Schumacher Jnr made the podium twice for the Dutch team Van Amersfoort Racing, but many of his rivals have a few years’ experience at this level as 18-year-old Marvin Dienst won the series.
After the high of winning at Germany’s Oschersleben track in the third race on the opening weekend in April — when he won the best rookie trophy — Schumacher Jnr experienced a few setbacks.
He managed to finish third when the Formula Four series returned to Oschersleben in September and his highest finish in the three races at Hockenheim this weekend was fifth.
“He’s made huge strides forwards,” said Frits van Amersfoort, Schumacher Jnr’s team boss.
“Mick was lucky with his first win. Then things went a bit downhill, but then he found his feet and things improved.
“Now we see that Mick is a strong player in the field.”
Having graduated to Formula Four after a successful career as a Kart racer, Schumacher has got to grips with the faster car.
“The boys have grown up, just like the cars. It often happens with 16-year-olds, whether they are Mick Schumacher or anyone else,” said Van Amersfoort.
Michael Schumacher first retired from Formula One in 2006, after winning five titles in succession for Ferrari from 2000-2004 and then returned for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons, but never finished higher than eighth overall.
As his father continues to recover, Mick Jnr has largely been shielded from the media’s glare, thanks to Kehm.
“I am very pleased with how the season went, the learning curve was very steep and it was clear things wouldn’t continue as they had done in the first weekend,” Kehm said.
“For his athletic and personal development, it was a good year. We’ll now calmly look at how things will continue.”
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