Far from the public look since 2013, when he suffered a ski accident in the French Alps, the seven times world champion lives in intensive care and with information restricted to an intimate circle
A silent gesture of was enough to move the world of motorsport. Far from the public look since 2013, when he suffered a ski accident in the French Alps, the seven times world champion came back symbolically by signing a helmet that will be used in a tribute at the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. The signature, made with the support of his wife Corinna, marks a rare demonstration of the German pilot in over a decade.
At 56, Schumacher lives inmate, under intensive care and with information restricted to an intimate circle. Since he hit his head on a descent of skiing in Méribel, his health condition is kept under absolute confidentiality. The family chose to preserve their privacy, and demonstrations like this, as simple as they seem, gain historical weight. The signed helmet will be used by Jackie Stewart, a Scottish Legend of Formula 1, during a symbolic return in Bahrain – but what most caught the eye was Schumacher’s direct involvement, even with its limitations.
“It is wonderful that Michael could have signed the helmet for this noble cause, related to a disease that has no cure,” Stewart told the newspaper Daily Mailwhich at 85 is still active in social campaigns. “His wife has helped him, and now the helmet has the signature of all the champions still alive.” The Scottish also highlighted the symbolism of the moment: “It is a disease for which there is no cure. It is very special to have it participating in this way.”
The play was signed with the initials “MS”, after a delicate effort, in an act that required support and patience. The presence of the name of the German completed a signature collection of all living world champions, gathered by Stewart. Schumacher’s gesture was seen by many as a silent reunion with the racing universe – the one he dominated for over two decades and where he is still revered as one of the greatest of all time.
The tribute is part of a charity event organized by Stewart to raise funds for the Race Against Dementia institution, dedicated to research on the disease that affects his wife, Helen. The return with the legendary three -time champion is scheduled for shortly before the official race start. The tribute, which unites memory, solidarity and respect, gained even more repercussion with Schumacher’s indirect presence. “Michael has always been generous. Having him with us on this helmet is something that means a lot to me in person,” Stewart added.
The relevance of this moment grows when considering almost total isolation of Schumacher since the accident. Public information about your health is very rare. In 2021, Pietro Ferrari said the pilot “is not dead, but can no longer communicate.” The wife, in an interview with the Netflix documentary, spoke about longing and the strength of keeping hope alive.
Watch the video:
A closer look at the helmet Sir Jackie Stewart will wear and auction in Bahrain, signed by all 20 living F1 world champions 🤩✍️
– Autosport (@Autsport)
Posted by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from Estadão Content
