Fresh hope Michael Schumacher is ‘on the mend’ after his first public act in 12 years
There is fresh hope surrounding F1 legend Michael Schumacher after his first public act in 12 years was spotted by a good friend.
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Michael Schumacher’s former teammate is hopeful that the Formula One icon is “on the mend” after his first public act in 12 years.
Schumacher, 56, signed fellow motorsport great Sir Jackie Stewart’s helmet alongside dozens of other drivers in a touching move that has left many hopeful around his health, The Sun reports.
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The seven-time F1 world champion has not been seen in public since he suffered a serious head injury after a skiing accident in December 2013.
His wife Corinna has spent the years since creating a private world around Michael as he continues his recovery.
Schumacher’s condition has remained a secret across the last decade but the recent signing of Stewart’s racing helmet has given the motorsport world a glimmer of hope.
He is said to have signed it with the help of Corinna as an image showed his initials “M.S” on the bottom right of the iconic white helmet.
Schumacher’s teammate at Benetton between 1994 to 1995, Johnny Herbert, described the signature as an “emotional” moment.
He told FastSlots: “It’s wonderful news that Michael Schumacher signed Jackie Stewart’s helmet. It was a wonderful moment.
“We haven’t seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it’s a sign.
“Hopefully, Michael is on the mend. It’s been a long, horrible journey for the family, and maybe we’ll hopefully see him in the F1 paddock soon.”
He added that the whole of the sporting world would love to one day see Schumacher back in the public eye among his fans.
“It would be so welcomed, not just from everyone in the paddock, but everyone around the world considering the awful situation he found himself in,” Herbert said.
Schumacher joined all 20 living world champions - from the eldest in Stewart to the most recent winner Max Verstappen - in giving his signature.
It is now set to be sold off at auction to help raise funds for Sir Jackie Stewart’s Race Against Dementia charity.
Stewart was even seen completing a lap of the racetrack with the helmet on at the start of April.
The sweet act came before the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Michael’s signature marks the stricken F1 legend’s only public act since his devastating ski accident in the French Alps.
Schumacher now lives at a A$103 million custom-built property on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, where he is cared for by a dedicated team of medical staff.
Only a handful of trusted people are aware of his current health status, including ex-Ferrari boss Jean Todt, his former teammates Felipe Massa and Luca Badoer, as well as longtime manager Sabine Kehm.
The helmet is the latest in a number of positive signs surrounding Schumacher’s health.
He recently became a granddad for the first time last month after his daughter Gina welcomed a baby girl named Millie.
The legendary Formula One driver is believed to have flown from his family’s villa in Majorca to their Swiss mansion in a chopper to join his daughter before the birth.
Gina revealed she was pregnant shortly after tying the knot to partner Iain Bethke at a villa in Majorca last year.
There was speculation at the time that her F1 champion dad attended the wedding, but it is unclear if he ever made the ceremony.
- This article first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission
Originally published as Fresh hope Michael Schumacher is ‘on the mend’ after his first public act in 12 years
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