The seven-time Formula 1 world champion recently celebrated his 57th birthday. Yet, more than 12 years on from his catastrophic skiing accident in December 2013, the state of his health remains one of the world of sport’s best-kept secrets.
The accident in Méribel left Schumacher in a coma for several days and caused severe head injuries. Although he eventually regained consciousness, he never returned to public life. Since 29 December 2013, updates on his condition have been virtually non-existent. The Schumacher family has deliberately kept their private life private, a choice that has only intensified the fascination and concern surrounding the ‘Red Barron’.
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Official announcement to come?
In recent weeks, however, two separate developments have sparked renewed attention.
First, his daughter Gina-Maria announced the launch of her own YouTube channel; second, a touching message from his wife, Corinna, reminded fans of Michael Schumacher’s enduring presence in his family’s life. These glimpses, though small, have offered fans hope and reassurance while respecting the family’s commitment to privacy.
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Gina-Maria Schumacher launches her YouTube channel
“Pure happiness! Episode 1 is officially online. Let me know what you think and leave a comment to tell me what you’d like to see in future episodes!” Gina-Maria announced on Instagram just hours before wishing her father a happy birthday.
Alongside a cherished family photo from before Michael’s accident, she wrote, “The best forever. Happy birthday, Dad.”
The announcement quickly caught the attention of Schumacher fans worldwide. Many had hoped that this might be an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Michael or at least receive an official update on his health. For over a decade, fans have had to piece together fragments of information from rare statements and old interviews, so any new activity from the Schumacher family tends to ignite speculation.
However, Gina-Maria’s YouTube channel reveals that her focus lies elsewhere. Her videos primarily showcase her passion for horse riding, a field in which she has already made a name for herself. Through training sessions, competitions and personal reflections, she allows her audience a glimpse into her equestrian career and daily life rather than her father’s condition.
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Following a Different Path: Gina-Maria’s Equestrian Journey
While her brother Mick followed in Michael’s footsteps by pursuing a career in Formula 1, Gina-Maria has carved out a distinct path in the world of horse riding. Her dedication and achievements in equestrian sports demonstrate her talent and determination to build her own legacy, independent of her father’s.
In many ways, Gina-Maria’s channel is a celebration of life, resilience and personal achievement. By sharing her passions with the public, she gives fans a sense of connection to the Schumacher family, while respecting Michael’s privacy. Her efforts show that the family’s story extends beyond Formula 1, encompassing love, dedication and the pursuit of dreams.
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Corinna Schumacher’s heartfelt message
On the 12^(th) anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s accident, fans were moved by a heartfelt message from his wife, Corinna. Posted by a fan account, it read:
“I miss Michael every day. But I’m not the only one who misses him: His children, his family, his father, everyone around him misses him too. Everyone misses Michael, but he’s still here with us, albeit in a different way. He still shows me his strength every day.”
These words highlight the quiet reality of Michael Schumacher’s life: although he has not appeared in public for years, he remains a source of love and inspiration for his loved ones. Corinna’s statement is both poignant and reassuring, reflecting the resilience of a family that has weathered unimaginable challenges while honouring the man who changed Formula 1 forever.
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Friends and colleagues respect the family’s privacy
Even Schumacher’s former colleagues acknowledge the lack of public updates and respect the family’s privacy. Richard Hopkins, former Red Bull operations director and McLaren executive, recently told Sport Bible:
“I haven’t heard anything recently. I understand he has a Finnish doctor who is his personal physician. I don’t think we’ll see Michael again. I’m a little uncomfortable talking about his health because his family rightly wants to keep it private.”
These comments highlight the delicate balance between public curiosity and private dignity. Over the years, the Schumacher family has consistently prioritised Michael’s well-being over media attention. For fans, this serves as a reminder that the Red Baron’s legacy encompasses not only his racing achievements, but also the love and care surrounding him today.
The Legacy of Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher’s influence on Formula 1 is undeniable. From his first world championship to his record-breaking seven titles, he redefined the sport and inspired generations of drivers. Although his current condition is private, memories of his racing genius continue to captivate fans worldwide.
Gina-Maria’s YouTube channel and Corinna’s heartfelt messages offer fans a different kind of connection, one that is grounded in family, resilience and personal growth. Certainly, Michael continues to shape the lives of those around him.
For fans, this means cherishing the occasional glimpse, celebrating the achievements of his family, and honouring the legacy of one of the greatest champions in Formula 1 history.
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For the next three weeks until the cars hit the Circuit de Catalunya for pre-season testing, the Formula One news will be dominated by speculation over which team has aced the all new engine and chassis design regulations.
Mercedes is persistently everyone’s favourite to build the most competitive power unit, but much of that opinion is based on their efforts last time an new era of F1 power was ushered in. The Brackley/Brixworth combination went on to dominate the sport, with the Mercedes team winning a record eight consecutive constructor championships together with seven consecutive driver titles.
Yet Mercedes this time around are restricted like all the manufacturers in terms of the amount they can spend on research and development unlike in 2014 when they outspent the field. Further, other resource restrictions are in place which also level the playing field like bench testing time allowed.
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The FIA has also initiated a ‘catch up’ programme to prevent long term domination by one new power unit manufacturer, but there are other variables in play which Mercedes do not control.
In the autumn of 2025 a report circulated in Germany that one of the suppliers of the all new bio fuel was in trouble, having been the only one to elect to create a completely synthetic product. The requirement for Formula One for the coming season does not require fully synthetic fuel and the other manufacturers have erred on the side of caution creating bio based fuels from agricultural waste and other non-food based products.
Fully synthetic fuel would be created from a combination of green hydrogen and carbon capture but as yet there is no deadline in Formula One for this transition to occur. Formula Two, which has been running 100% sustainable fuels in 2025 will move to fully synthetic in 2027.
In F2 and F3 there is a single fuel supplier which is intended to drive costs for the teams down. The supplier is Saudi oil giant Aramco who have been developing synthetic based fuels for F2 and F3 for three seasons. Of course Aramco are Aston Martin’s fuel supplier and named sponsor and many F1 analysts believe their role in the lower Formula racing series this year…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
A Brazilian motorsport writer with a background in sports journalism and broadcast reporting, Treze brings cultural insight and on-the-ground knowledge of South American racing. With credentials in communications and journalism, Treze connects today’s Formula 1 with the enduring legacy of Ayrton Senna.