Jean Todt opened up about his relationship with the racing star and said he was confident his family and doctors would continue to take care of him. And on the prospect of the 50-year-old’s health improving five years on from his skiing accident, Mr Todt said: “The hope is still there that the situation will improve.” Speaking to French sports newspaper L’Equipe, Mr Todt, who is now president of motor racing’s governing body the FIA, revealed his relationship with Schumacher had become closer since the German’s skiing accident.
He said: “As for me, I stay very close to Michael and his family, maybe even closer, than if this accident had not happened.”
The former Ferrari boss said he remembered a “whole range of emotions” when Schumacher had been the star driver for the team.
He revealed his favourite moment was Schumacher’s victory at Suzuka in 2000 – a win which saw the F1 legend claim his third World Championship.
Mr Todt said he recalled telling the German at the time “our career will never be the same again!”, before adding the statement “turned out to be true”.
Frenchman Mr Todt took the helm at Ferrari in 1994, two years before Schumacher joined.
During the boss’s 13-year tenure for the Prancing Horse, Schumacher went on to win five of his seven World Championships.
The racing legend suffered a serious brain injury in December 2013 while skiing in the French Alps.
He was placed into a medically induced coma after doctors carried out a life-saving operation.
But updates have been few and far between as his family seek to maintain his privacy.
Mr Todt revealed last month that he watched the Brazilian Grand Prix by Schumacher’s side last month.
The most recent update on Schumacher’s health came just a few days ago when Michael’s former manager Sabine Kehm shared some fresh details.
Appearing on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Ms Kehm said: “Corinna and Michael were such a perfect couple and they are still a perfect couple if you ask me.
“He was and still is very connected to his family.”
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg.