“The Public Will Never See Michael Schumacher Again”

Former Formula One figure Richard Hopkins, who developed a friendship with Michael Schumacher during their time in the sport, shared a heartbreaking belief regarding the seven time world champion. Hopkins stated that he does not expect the public to ever see Schumacher again.

Schumacher Remains Out of the Public Eye After the Twenty Thirteen Skiing Accident

Schumacher suffered a severe head injury during a skiing accident in December 2013. He spent a prolonged period in a medically induced coma and has not appeared publicly since that time. He now receives care from a dedicated medical team and his wife Corinna at the family residence near Lake Geneva.

The Schumacher family maintains strict privacy regarding his condition. Reports indicate that even many close friends do not know the current state of his health. Only a small and carefully selected group of people is believed to have access to him. That group includes former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt and former technical director Ross Brawn.

Hopkins Says the Secrecy Will Not Change

Hopkins, who previously served as Head of Operations at Red Bull and as Logistics Manager at McLaren, stated that he does not see the family relaxing its privacy standards.

Hopkins told Sportbible the following.

“I have not heard anything recently. I understand he has a Finnish doctor. A personal doctor.

I do not think we will see Michael again. I am slightly uncomfortable talking about his condition because of how secretive, for the right reasons, the family wants to keep it.

So I can make a remark. Have an opinion. But I am not in that inner circle. I am not Jean Todt. I am not Ross Brawn. I am not Gerhard Berger. Who visit Michael. I am a long way from that.”

Hopkins first met Schumacher in the early 1990s when he worked as a mechanic at McLaren while Schumacher raced for Benetton. The two developed a friendship and often shared coffee breaks within the paddock.

Hopkins Believes No One Close to Schumacher Will Reveal Details

Hopkins also explained that even those with access to Schumacher will never discuss his health.

He said the following.

“I cannot say I am best friends with Jean Todt. Or Ross. Or Gerhard.

I think even if you were Ross Brawn s best friend. And you asked how well Michael was. And even if you plied Ross with a lot of good red wine. I do not think he would open up and share.

I think there is that respect with anybody who goes to visit Michael not to share anything. That is the way the family wants it to be. I think that is fair and respectful towards the family. Even if I did know. The family would be disappointed if I shared anyway.”

Schumacher Remains One of the Greatest Drivers in Formula One History

Schumacher is now fifty six years old. His record includes seven world championships in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. He also recorded seventy one fastest laps and one hundred fifty five podium finishes.

Hopkins Reflects on Schumacher s Character

Hopkins recently described his relationship with Schumacher and offered insight into his personality. Speaking to The Sun, he said the following.

“When you look at all the elements that make a world champion. He had them all. Even the ones that were not always positive.

Hopkins added that Schumacher displayed a very different demeanor away from the track. He noted that Schumacher, like Mika Hakkinen, had what he described as an alter ego that contrasted with his competitive image.

Hopkins said the following.

“If you did not know Michael. And you started watching Formula One in two thousand four or two thousand five. You would probably have an opinion of him at that period without knowing the person behind that persona.
You might see this overconfident driver who had this absolute degree of arrogance. That one hundred per cent belief.

You would think he was probably a difficult person in his private life. But he certainly was not. He was a great dad and a great husband.”

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