Willi Weber, the long-time manager of Michael Schumacher, has responded with fury to recent remarks made by former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt regarding the Formula One legend.
Todt alleged in a recent interview that Schumacher intentionally collided with Jacques Villeneuve during their championship showdown at Jerez in 1997.
Weber expressed his disbelief when speaking to Cologne-based outlet Express.
"I'm speechless. Why would he say something like that? And especially in Michael's difficult situation," he said.
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The seven-time world champion, now 58, has remained out of public view since sustaining a serious brain injury during a skiing accident in Meribel, France on 29 December 2013.
At the time of the 1997 collision, FIA race stewards determined the incident to be a racing accident.
However, the governing body subsequently took a different view just weeks later, removing Schumacher from the 1997 drivers' championship entirely.
Willi Weber and Michael Schumacher worked together for more than 20 years | GETTYThe German driver was stripped of his runner-up position in the final standings as punishment.
Despite this sanction, all of his individual race victories from that campaign remained on the record books.
Todt's interview also referenced another contentious moment from Schumacher's career – his disputed spin during qualifying for the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix.
Michael Schumacher pictured back in 1997
|GETTY
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Michael Schumacher sustained serious injuries while skiing in France back in 2013 | GETTY
The greatest drivers in F1 history | GETTY/GBNEWSThis marks the first occasion that anyone from Schumacher's inner circle has publicly addressed Todt's comments about these historic incidents.
Weber mounted a robust defence of his former client, insisting that those who truly knew Schumacher would recognise there was no malice behind his actions.
"Anyone who knows Michael knows there was no malicious intent behind it. It was a tough but necessary manoeuvre to defend his position and thus also the potential title," he stated.
The former manager drew comparisons with other fierce title battles in the sport's history.
"We've seen much more aggressive manoeuvres in a World Championship fight. Just think of Ayrton Senna against Alain Prost," Weber added.
Weber also questioned the timing of Todt's decision to revisit events from nearly three decades ago.
Michael Schumacher won seven F1 titles during his career | GETTY"That was so long ago and has been thoroughly analysed. Is he trying to retroactively absolve himself of something?" he asked.
The former manager revealed that he severed ties with the Frenchman following Schumacher's devastating accident.
"I no longer have any contact with Jean; I broke it off after the accident because it would only have reminded me of Michael's sad fate," Weber explained.
"New things keep coming up for me too, causing me grief."