Michael Schumacher was my best friend - I’ve refused to see him since accident’

Michael Schumacher was my best friend – I’ve refused to see him since accident’

Michael Schumacher was my best friend – I’ve refused to see him since accident’

Willi Weber, the former manager of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, recently opened up about the heartbreaking reality that he has not visited Schumacher since the F1 star’s devastating skiing accident in 2013. Schumacher, a seven-time world champion, suffered a traumatic brain injury while skiing in the French Alps. Since then, he has completely withdrawn from the public eye, with very little information shared about his condition.

Weber, who managed Schumacher’s career during his rise to fame, spoke candidly about their relationship and the deep sense of loss he feels. He explained that, although Schumacher had been like a son to him, he has not been able to visit or see him since the accident and likely never will. The former Ferrari and Mercedes driver has been in recovery for over a decade, under the close care of his wife, Corinna Schumacher, at their family home in Switzerland. Access to Schumacher has been tightly controlled, with only a very select group of individuals permitted to visit him.

Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, has maintained a strong level of privacy around his condition. Since he emerged from an artificial coma in mid-2014 and was released from Grenoble Hospital, public updates on his health have been extremely rare. The family has deliberately kept details about his progress and current state away from media attention, leading to much speculation over the years. Despite this, Schumacher’s family continues to live their lives, with reports occasionally surfacing about significant family events.

Most recently, rumors circulated that Schumacher might have attended his daughter Gina’s wedding. Gina Schumacher, a professional equestrian, married her long-time partner Iain Bethke in a lavish ceremony at the family’s villa in Mallorca. Guests at the wedding were reportedly required to hand over their phones to ensure privacy, which has led to speculation about whether Schumacher himself was present. German newspaper BILD reported that it was ‘very likely’ Schumacher attended the event, alongside his brother, Ralf Schumacher, and Ralf’s new partner, Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne.

Weber, however, was not invited to the wedding and mentioned that he likely would not have attended even if he had been, due to his own health concerns. He explained that he is currently in poor health and did not feel up to traveling to Mallorca for the occasion.

During his reflection, Weber expressed a profound sense of regret over his decision not to visit Schumacher immediately after the accident. He admitted that, at the time, he underestimated the severity of the situation, believing the media reports were likely exaggerated. Weber had planned to wait a few days before visiting, assuming that Schumacher’s condition would improve, but by the time he realized the gravity of the situation, it was too late. This decision weighed heavily on him for years, and he struggled with feelings of guilt for not being there for his close friend when he may have needed him most.

Weber has since come to terms with the situation, stating that he has said his goodbyes to Schumacher in his heart, allowing himself to find some measure of peace. Despite this emotional resolution, Weber’s memories of Schumacher remain bittersweet, as he reflects on the deep bond they shared throughout Schumacher’s career and the devastating impact of the accident that changed everything.

The relationship between Weber and Schumacher was clearly one of deep respect and affection. Schumacher’s absence from public life since the accident has left a significant void for his fans and those closest to him. For Weber, the inability to see his friend again in person, coupled with the regret over his initial hesitation to visit, remains a painful reality.