Michael Schumacher's brother makes powerful plea as F1 icon continues to live away from the spotlight

Michael Schumacher's brother makes powerful plea as F1 icon continues to live away from the spotlight

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 27/12/2023

- 14:17

The 54-year-old hasn't been seen in public since a tragic skiing accident in 2013

Friday will mark 10 years since Michael Schumacher's skiing accident.

And the German's brother, Ralf, has pleaded for people to respect the family's privacy as the anniversary of the tragic incident approaches.


Schumacher had retired from Formula One just over a year before he went on holiday in the French Alps in 2013.

The 54-year-old travelled abroad with his family, including wife Corinna and son Mick.

Michael Schumacher F1

Michael Schumacher's brother Ralf has pleaded for the F1 icon's privacy to be respected

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Tragedy struck, however, when Schumacher went off course and hit his head on a rock.

Not much is known about the 54-year-old and his condition all these years later, with the family preferring for details to be kept under wraps.

And Ralf, Schumacher's brother, has now pleaded with fans to leave the family alone despite their desire for updates.

“I would sometimes wish for a bit more peace and quiet for the family, that people don’t ask so many questions," he told Sky Germany.

"I believe that Michael had his time in the public eye and it was all great for him and I believe that whole generations have followed him in motorsport.

“But, after such a long time, it’s time to understand that you need privacy, even if it was a dramatic experience.

"It always surprises me how many people think of Michael and that’s nice.

"But some people still go a bit too far and too close to the family.”

In a separate interview with BILD, Ralf also admitted he missed his brother.

“I miss my Michael from back then,” confessed the 48-year-old.

"Life is sometimes unfair.

"Michael had been lucky many times in his life, but then the tragic accident happened.

"Fortunately, modern medicine has made it possible to do some things, but still, nothing is like before."

Schumacher is one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.

He won seven titles during his time in the sport, an achievement only Lewis Hamilton has been able to match.

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Michael Schumacher is considered one of the best drivers in F1 history

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Yet it appears hope of Schumacher ever recovering from his injuries is fading with each and every year.

Schumacher used to smoke cigars with journalist Roger Benoit.

And Benoit said earlier this year that the F1 legend was a 'case without hope'.

"No," he told Blick when asked if he was able to provide an update on Schumacher and his condition.

"There is only one answer to this question and that is what his son Mick gave in one of his rare interviews in 2022: ‘I would give anything to talk to dad’.

Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher hasn't been seen in public since a skiing accident in the French Alps in December 2013

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"This sentence says everything about how his father has been doing for over 3500 days. A case without hope.”

Benoit was referring to comments made by Schumacher's son, Mick.

Last year, the 24-year-old said: “I think dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now.

"We would have had much more to talk about and that is where my head is most of the time, thinking that would be so cool.

"I would give up everything just for that.

"These moments that I believe many people have with their parents are no longer present, or to a lesser extent."

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