Richard Hopkins – a friend of Michael Schumacher and the former head of operations for Red Bull – believes that the F1 icon will never make a return to public life.
It has been 12 years since Schumacher’s tragic life-altering accident, with updates on the motorsport legend’s health kept close to the chest by his family.
In a fresh interview with SportBible, Hopkins claimed he wasn’t aware of exactly how his friend was tracking, but conceded he was unlikely to be seen in the public eye again.
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“I haven’t heard anything recently,” Hopkins said.
“I understand he has a Finnish doctor, a personal doctor.
Michael Schumacher lives a life of privacy, helped by his closest friends. Â Getty
“I don’t think we’ll see Michael again. I’m 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’m not in that inner circle. I’m not Jean Todt, I’m not Ross Brawn, I’m not Gerhard Berger, who visit Michael.
“I’m a long way from that.”
Schumacher won seven Formula 1 world championships and was put in a medically-induced coma after almost dying in a skiing accident in 2013.
Health updates are virtually non-existent, but it’s believed the former racer is incapacitated and requires intense care from a team of medics.
Hopkins added that the commitment to privacy extends to all visitors and friends, a level of respect to keep Schumacher’s state in secrecy for the family’s comfort.
“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 don’t think he would open up and share,” Hopkins added.
“I think there is that respect with anybody who goes to visit Michael not to share anything. That’s the way the family wants it to be.
“I think that’s fair and respectful towards the family. Even if I did know, the family would be disappointed if I shared anyway.
Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn celebrate winning the 2002 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. Bongarts/Getty Images
“I spoke to someone who is very, very close to him and they just explained we’re not going to hear any more from him.
“He’s in a comfortable position as far as he can be with his state of health.”
Mick Schumacher, the son of the sporting icon, has changed motorsport codes from F1 to the American series IndyCar for the 2026 season.
He’ll race full time with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.