Frenchman Jean Todt, a former Ferrari chief and former president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), revealed on Friday that he regularly visits Michael Schumacher. Formula 1 -champion Schumacher has been kept confidential by his family since the accident suffered in 2013 at a ski resort in the French Alps.
“I see him and his family regularly and with love. Our bond goes beyond the past work, is part of my life, which today is far from, ”Todt told the Italian newspaper The Republic.
At 78, Jean Todt is one of the few people with access to currently. The Frenchman also said he supports. “A choice that I respect,” he said.
Todt’s friendship with Schumacher goes beyond motorsport. In 2022, the former president of FIA revealed that he has the habit of accompanying Formula 1 races alongside the heptacal champion. On another time, he said he even invited Schumacher to succeed him in charge of, but had the offer denied.
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Michael Schumacher wearing yellow overalls, smiling as he lowers his car’s booth during the Formula 1 World Championship in May 1992. Bongarts/Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher before the Belgium Grand Prix, held at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Francorchamps, Valônia, Belgium, on August 28, 1994. Schumacher, who was disqualified after finishing first, directed a Ford Zetec B194 Benetton B194 R 3 5 V8 for the Mild Seven Benetton Ford team. • Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher watching a television replay of the 1994 Formula 1 World Championship final race, an edition in which the German was champion for the first time. The decision was at the Australia Grand Prix, held at Adelaide Street Circuit in Adelaide, on November 13, 1994. Schumacher, who did not finish the race, directed a Benetton B194 with Ford Zetec-R 3 5 V8 engine for The Mild Seven Benetton Ford team. • Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
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Pilots Bertrand Gachot, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Rubinho Barrichello, Michele Alboreto, Olivier Panis, Christian Fittipaldi and Jean Alessi in Sao Paulo on March 27, 1994 during the Brazilian Grand Prix. • Jean-Marc LOUBAT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher while talking to the team leaders before the Argentina Grand Prix held at the Oscar Alfredo Galvez Race Track in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 9, 1995. The German finished the race in third place, piloted a Benetton B195 With Renault RS7 3 V10 engine for the Mild Seven Benetton Renault team. • Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher poses for photographers before the Hockennheimring Grand Prix, Germany, on July 28, 1996. Schumacher finished the race in fourth place and rolled a Ferrari F310 Ferrari 046 3 V10 car to the Ferrari team. • Marcus Brandt/Bongarts/Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher talking to a team officer before the Hungary Grand Prix, held in Hungaroring in Mogyorod, Hungary, on August 10, 1997. Schumacher finished the race in fifth place and piloted a Ferrari F310B Ferrari 046/ 2 3 V10 for the Ferrari team • Marcus Brandt/Bongarts/Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher poses next to his Ferrari F310B car with Ferrari 046/2 3 V10 engine before the European Grand Prix, held at the Jerez Permanent Circuit in Jerez de La Frontera, Spain, on October 26, 1997. Schumacher not finished the race. • Marcus Brandt/Bongarts/Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher is congratulated by his team after the German Grand Prix, held in Hockenheim, Germany, on July 27, 1997. Schumacher finished the race in second place and drove a Ferrari F310b car with Ferrari 046/2 3 V10 engine for the Ferrari team • Bongarts/Getty Images
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Michael Schumacher on the podium with the winner of the race, Austrian pilot Gerhard Berger to the right of the board at the German Grand Prix, held in Hockenheim, Germany, on July 27, 1997. Schumacher finished the race in second and pilot A Ferrari F310B car with Ferrari 046/2 3 V10 engine for the Ferrari team. Berger drove a Benetton B197 car with Renault RS9 3 V10 engine to the Mild Seven Benetton Renault team. • Photo of Bongarts/Getty Images
Todt, Schumacher e Ferrari
Todt arrived at Ferrari in 1993 and was fundamental in the hegemony established by the team in Formula 1 in the early 21st century. Of the seven titles won by Schumacher, five were competing for the traditional Italian team (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004). German also won in 1994 and 1995 by Benetton.
According to the prosecutor of the case involving theft of photos and medical records of the former pilot, Schumacher would be “partially defenseless, needing care and visibly marked by his injuries.” The statement was made in December 2024.
On December 29, 2013 ,. The German was in a dangerous area not demarcated between two tracks. He wore a helmet, but hit his head and suffered a serious head trauma that left him in a coma for months.
Without details of doctors and family members, Schumacher was careful by his wife, Corinna, and a specialized team. The information about the evolution of the former pilot, currently 56, has been scarce, feeding speculation and maintaining the curiosity of the public.