Ten years after the skiing accident
Ralf Schumacher misses the “Michael from back then”
December 26, 2023, 7:29 a.m
A skiing accident fundamentally changes Michael Schumacher’s life. The former Formula 1 star has not appeared in public for ten years. One person who is close to him is his brother Ralf. He reports on the pain that December 29, 2013 caused him.
Ralf Schumacher is still hurt by his brother Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident ten years ago. “I miss my Michael from back then,” said the former Formula 1 driver to the “Bild” newspaper. “Life is sometimes unfair. Michael had often been lucky in his life, but then this tragic accident happened. Thank God, thanks to modern medical options, there was a lot that could be done, but still nothing is like it used to be,” said the 48-year-old.
Michael Schumacher fell while skiing in the French Alps on December 29, 2013. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. Since the fall in which Schumacher hit his head on a stone and broke his helmet, the soon-to-be 55-year-old has not appeared in public.
After the fall, he fought for days in the Grenoble University Hospital to survive and was in an artificial coma for a long time. It is not known how he is doing now. The family protects the privacy of the native Rhinelander. Ralf Schumacher also didn’t give any details to the “Bild” newspaper. “I can say that his accident was a very bad and impactful experience for me too.”
“Just a nice guy”
On the occasion of the anniversary, Berne Ecclestone also remembers Michael Schumacher – and his very specific character traits. “Michael didn’t even think about making compromises. If he was convinced of something, he went for it,” said the long-time Formula 1 chief marketer, who also enjoyed meetings with the 91-time Grand Prix winner away from the asphalt . “He was pretty normal, just a nice guy.”
Ecclestone vaguely remembers Schumacher’s skiing accident. “Back then, no one knew exactly what happened and what consequences it could have. It took a long time for people to understand what was actually going on,” said the 93-year-old. “I miss him. He is a star and he will always be remembered as a star.”