Flavio Briatore Reveals Rare Details on Michael Schumacher’s Health After Devastating Ski Accident

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Flavio Briatore Breaks Silence on Schumacher’s Grim Health Condition

If you ask Flavio Briatore, the memory he prefers isn’t of Michael Schumacher confined to a hospital bed. Instead, he sees that iconic grin after another Grand Prix win. Briatore, who stood beside Schumacher in the high-octane days of Benetton’s Formula 1 glory, has opened up about the racing legend’s current state more than ten years after the infamous ski accident that changed everything.

During an interview with the Italian paper Corriere della Sera, Briatore didn’t sugarcoat the truth. He’s one of the few outside the inner circle to shed light on a situation typically wrapped in secrecy. “If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory. I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed,” Briatore shared. He keeps in touch with Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, underscoring the tight bond that still exists between the family and those who were closest to Michael through his racing career.

The Long Shadow of a Split-Second Accident

Schumacher’s accident happened in December 2013 while skiing with his then-teenage son Mick in the French Alps at Méribel. The world’s most decorated Formula 1 driver crashed into a rock despite wearing a helmet. The impact left him with irreversible brain damage—he was rushed to Grenoble hospital, where surgeons fought to save his life with multiple emergency operations.

He didn’t wake quickly. Schumacher spent months in a coma, with his family and fans worldwide waiting for news that never really came. In September 2014, he was moved to Switzerland, where an extensive rehabilitation regime took over. Those close to Schumacher say everything has changed. He now needs round-the-clock care at home and, according to close sources, cannot speak or interact meaningfully. The tight hold on information means even small details rarely get out, amplifying how severe his condition still is after so many years.

Briatore’s words echo the stance taken by Corinna and the entire Schumacher family. They’ve drawn a resolute line on privacy to shield Michael from constant media scrutiny. While the world keeps asking, few answers ever make it past those trusted by the family. Briatore emphasized this: “Corinna and I talk often, though,” he said, hinting at the supportive network surrounding Schumacher but also the pain and loyalty tied up in guarding his dignity.

For fans who grew up watching *Michael Schumacher* rewrite the record books, these glimpses into his life now are bittersweet. Briatore’s comments highlight just how big a void Schumacher’s absence from the sport—and public life—has left. Even now, with Formula 1’s spotlight passing to new stars, Schumacher’s shadow looms over every race, his triumphs still shining, his current struggles a sobering reminder of how quickly fate can turn.