Heartbreaking update on Michael Schumacher’s health

A leading neurologist has made worrying new claims about the health of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher.

A leading neurologist says Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is in a “vegetative state” and may never fully recover from the traumatic brain injury he suffered seven years ago.

Erich Riederer made the worrying claim about the seven-time world champion in a new documentary that aired on French TV, The Sun reports.

“I think he’s in a vegetative state, which means he’s awake but not responding,” Riederer told TMC.

Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna in 2010. Picture: AFP

“He is breathing, his heart is beating, he can probably sit up and take baby steps with help, but no more.

“I think that’s the maximum for him. Is there any chance of seeing him like he was before his accident? I really don’t think so.”

Corinna Schumacher has been caring for her husband since his traumatic brain injury. Picture: AFP

Michael Schumacher with Benetton F1 driver Gerhard Berger at Melbourne’s Albert Park in 1996.

Schumacher, 51, has reportedly been receiving around the clock care at his Lake Geneva home in Switzerland since he suffered a near-fatal brain injury in 2013 after falling and hitting his head on a rock while skiing off-piste in the French Alps.

Despite wearing a helmet, his injuries were so severe he was placed into a medically induced coma.

Former Ferrari boss oversaw Jean Todt, a close friend of Schumacher, visited him earlier this month and said the legend was “fighting” and was being looked after by his devoted wife Corinna.

Michael Schumacher skiing in the northern Italian resort of Madonna di Campiglio in 2005. Picture: AFP

Michael Schumacher with fellow F1 legend Niki Lauda. Picture: Getty Images

Todt said: “I saw Michael last week. He is fighting.

“My God, we know he had a terrible and unfortunate skiing accident which has caused him a lot of problems.

“But he has an amazing wife next to him, he has his kids, his nurses, and we can only wish him the best and wish the family the best, too.

“All I can do is to be close to them until I am able to do something, and then I will do it.”

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Originally published as Heartbreaking update on Michael Schumacher’s health