Fans hoping for a fresh update about the health of F1 legend Michael Schumacher are set to be disappointed after family lawyer Felix Damm explained that there is to be no change to their current policy of total privacy regarding his condition.
Schumacher is regarded as one of the biggest icons in F1 history, having amassed seven World Championships and 91 race victories during a career that spanned three decades and cemented his name amongst the motorsport greats.
Just one year after bowing out of F1 for the final time in 2012 following a three-year stint with Mercedes, Schumacher was caught up in a serious accident while skiing in the French Alps with his son Mick. As a result of his injuries, he was placed into a medically induced coma, in which he would remain until June 2014.
Since then he has remained in care at his family home in Geneva with updates to his adoring fans few and far between. Mick Schumacher has since made the step up to F1 and continues his father’s legacy with Mercedes in a test and reserve driver role.
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Damm recently spoke to the German news organisation LTO about the privacy surrounding Schumacher’s condition, explaining: “It was always about protecting private things. Of course, we discussed a lot about how this is possible. So we also considered whether a final report about Michael’s health could be the right way to do this.
“But that wouldn’t have been the end of it and there would have had to be constantly updated ‘water level reports’. Because as those affected, it is not up to you to put an end to the media.
“They could pick up on such a report again and again and ask, ‘And what does it look like now?’ one, two, three months or years after the message. And if we then wanted to take action against this reporting, we would have to deal with the argument of voluntary self-disclosure.”
Damm was later asked whether or not he understands the public’s demand for information regarding Schumacher’s health, replying: “Naturally, but I also believe that the vast majority of fans can deal with it well and also respect the fact that the accident has set in motion a process in which private shelter is necessary and will now continue to be observed.”
