Michael Schumacher remains one of the most iconic drivers in Formula 1 history. After making his debut at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix with Jordan, he remained with the team through 1995, winning two World Drivers' Championships with them in 1994 and 1995.
Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996, where he remained until 2006. During that time, the German racer won five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004. Following his 2006 retirement, Schumacher returned in 2010 for a three-year stint with Mercedes, which saw him earn only one third place podium.
It was a disappointing end to Schumacher's F1 career, but he'd already cemented himself as an all-time great with 91 race victories.
Tragically, the 7-time Drivers' Champion was involved in a ski accident in 2013 on the Combe de Saulire ski run in Meribel. His skis hit a rock hidden beneath the snow, and despite wearing a helmet, he sustained a serious head injury after crashing into a boulder.
Two life-saving operations followed, and Schumacher was comatose for 250 days before eventually being returned home. His family has declined to go into details about Michael's health, but his injuries are thought to be life-altering.
However, multiple outlets are now reporting that "sources" close to the family have said Schumacher "is no longer bedridden" and is now in a wheelchair, able to be moved around his estate in Majorca. Apparently, "He understands some of the things going on around him, but probably not all of them."
Corinna, Michael's wife of 30 years, acts as his carer, along with a team of nurses and therapists. In 2021, she said, "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. Everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here - different, but here. He still shows me how strong he is every day."
Last year, three former employees of the Schumacher family were convicted after threatening to release pictures of him in his current condition. The update above is largely positive, though it seems doubtful that we'll see him back in the public eye.
Corinna recently took legal action after German tabloid Die Aktuelle published a fake interview with the Formula 1 legend. The magazine's editor-in-chief was fired, and in May 2024, the family was awarded €200,000 in compensation by a German court.