The German legend’s health has been a closely guarded secret every since he suffered catastrophic brain injuries in a skiing accident in 2013. Mr Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm has always insisted the racing superstar’s condition is not a public matter. But in recent unearthed comments Ms Kehm revealed why his condition has been shrouded in secrecy – with official updates few and far between. She said she and his wife Corinna were “protecting his wishes” to keep his condition secret because Mr Schumacher was a “private individual”.
Ms Kehm told how it was the driving ace’s “secret dream” to be able to “disappear”.
She said: “In general the media have never reported on Michael and Corinna’s private life.
“When he was in Switzerland, for example, it was clear he was a private individual.
“Once in a long discussion Michael said to me: ‘You don’t need to call me for the next year, I’m disappearing.’
“I think it was his secret dream to be able to do that some day.
“That’s why now I still want to protect his wishes in that I don’t let anything get out.”
It comes after Ms Kehm broke her silence earlier this month to issue a rare emotional statement to celebrate the Formula 1 racing legend’s iconic record on the track.
Michael Schumacher’s manager spoke after a poster was unveiled to commemorate his iconic career, released in cooperation with the racing legend’s Keep Fighting Foundation.
On behalf of the Schumacher family, Ms Kehm said: “We are delighted to be partnering with ZOOM to raise money for the Keep Fighting Foundation.
“This is a stunning way to celebrate Michael’s iconic career and by the way a very beautiful poster.”
Schumacher’s career saw him amass a record seven world titles and the most amount of wins (91) ever for a driver.
The German driver was placed in a medically induced coma for nearly six months but then in June 2014 was discharged from hospital and has since been receiving medical care at home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
Michael Schumacher’s medical bills are said to cost £115,000 a week from a team of 15 nurses and physicians.
The racing legend has reportedly been left paralysed following the tragic ski accident but those claims are unconfirmed.