Formula One has ‘lost a mega star’ with Michael Schumacher’s continued absence due to his ill-health, insists Johnny Herbert… as the German’s former team-mate claims the sport is much worse off without him
- F1 legend Michael Schumacher was involved in a horrific skiing accident in 2013
- The seven-time world champion hasn’t appeared publicly in almost ten years
- Former team-mate Johnny Herbert outlined his sadness at Schumacher’s health
Johnny Herbert has expressed his sadness and heartbreak at the health of Michael Schumacher and his continued absence from the public eye, insisting everyone has ‘lost out’.
Formula One legend Schumacher – who won seven world championships – was involved in a skiing accident in December 2013 that left him in a medically induced coma. He hasn’t appeared publicly since.
The German is cared for by a team of medical staff and his wife Corinna at their Lake Geneva home, but little has been made public about his condition.
And Herbert – who was once Schumacher’s team-mate at the now-defunct F1 team Benetton – outlined how the 54-year-old is sorely missed inside and outside of the sport.
‘We have lost a mega star of our sport who gave so much enjoyment to a lot of people,’ he told CasinoSite.nl.
Johnny Herbert has expressed his sadness over the health of F1 legend Michael Schumacher
Schumacher (pictured in 2005) hasn’t been seen in public since a skiing accident in 2013 left him in a medically induced coma, and he is cared for by a team of medical staff and his family
Herbert (right) was once team-mates with Schumacher (centre) at now-defunct team Benetton
‘It was very sad that Mick couldn’t have his Dad around and it is sad that we as an F1 community don’t have him around the paddock.
‘It is a shame. Everyone loses out on learning about the Michael Schumacher we never saw when he was in the cockpit.’
Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, having claimed the world title in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
He also added 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums to his name during his iconic racing career.
His family are very protective of his privacy and it is understood that many of their close friends and relations are even unsure about the state of his health.
However, in the Netflix documentary ‘Schumacher’, which aired in 2021, his wife Corinna did provide a rare update.
She revealed he continues to undergo rehabilitation for the life-changing injuries he suffered and claimed he is now ‘different, but here’.
Mick Schumacher – who is Michael’s son – followed in his father’s footsteps by competing in F1 when he drove for Haas in 2021 and 2022, finishing 19th and 16th respectively.
However, he was dropped for the 2023 season in favour of veteran Nico Hulkenberg and is the current reserve driver for Mercedes.
And when questioned on what the future holds for Mick, Herbert did admit it may be a struggle for the 24-year-old to get another chance in the sport.
He added: ‘I think Mick Schumacher is in one of those horrible F1 situations that he probably did not impress enough when he was at Haas.
‘And because of that he is damaged. And no-one is going to talk about him.’
Schumacher’s wife Corinna (pictured skiing with him in 2005) has kept his condition private
Herbert also insisted it will be tough for Schumacher’s son Mick to race in Formula One again
During the aforementioned Netflix documentary, Mick spoke emotionally when providing an insight into his relationship with his father.
He said: ‘I think dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now.
‘Simply because we speak a similar language – the language of motorsport. We would have had much more to talk about and that is where my head is most of the time, thinking that would be so cool.
‘That would be it. I would give up everything just for that. Yes.’
Source: Read Full Article
