Michael Schumacher’s close friend Christian Danner has revealed the latest rumour surrounding the Formula One legend’s life away from the public eye, while admitting he has been unable to verify the claims with the seven-time world champion’s family.
Schumacher has remained out of the spotlight since suffering a catastrophic skiing accident in the French Alps in December 2013, which left him with a severe brain injury.
His wife, Corinna, has fiercely protected the Ferrari icon’s privacy throughout his recovery, with only a handful of trusted family members and close friends granted access to the 57-year-old.
Speculation surrounding Schumacher’s condition has never disappeared, however, and Danner has now disclosed one of the latest rumours circulating within Formula One circles.
Speaking to OLBG, the former racing driver said he had heard claims that Schumacher is now living in Majorca, but stressed he has been unable to confirm whether they are true.
“There are all these rumours he’s in Majorca, and they’ve put him in an estate there, and so forth,” Danner said.
“When I’m speaking to Corinna, she’s not mentioning it. When I’m speaking to other people who could know, they don’t tell me.”
His comments come as Schumacher’s family continue to reveal almost nothing publicly about the German’s health, having made protecting his privacy their highest priority since the life-changing accident.
Michael Schumacher’s close friend Christian Danner has revealed the latest rumour surrounding the Formula One legend’s life away from the public eye, while admitting he has been unable to verify the claims with the seven-time world champion’s family
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Corinna previously explained why the family remains determined to keep details of her husband’s recovery out of the public domain.
“We’re together. We live together at home. We do therapy,” she said in a 2021 Netflix documentary.
“We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond.
“‘Private is private’, as he always said.
Corinna Schumacher has always kept updates on husband Michael to a minimum | GETTY
“It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us and now we are protecting Michael.”
Although Danner admitted he has no direct knowledge of Schumacher’s current circumstances, he suggested the Formula One great’s continued absence from public life points to the scale of the challenges he still faces.
“However Michael looks, or under whatever conditions he’s alive – I don’t know – I want to see him again,” he said.
“The fact that he’s not appearing anywhere indicates that he’s probably not very well.
“But Formula 1’s prepared for that. Formula 1’s prepared for everything.
“He’s one of the heroes in the history of Formula 1, so if he would be happy and fit enough to come back, no matter the circumstances, in whatever condition, I think Formula 1 can cope with it easily.”
Danner also admitted he hopes Schumacher will one day be able to make a public appearance again, believing it would be a hugely emotional moment for everyone connected with the sport.
“There are heroes in any kind of sport that have had a problem and have kind of fallen. But once they’re alive, I think it does everyone a lot of good to see them again,” he said.
Michael Schumacher won seven world championships during his F1 career
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“For me personally, it would be absolutely smashing to see him. I think that feeling is around for virtually everybody in Formula 1.”
Earlier this year, meanwhile, reports suggested that Schumacher was not bedridden but relies on the constant support of his family and carers.
During his F1 career, he won seven titles across spells at Ferrari and Benneton.
Only Lewis Hamilton, who races for Ferrari, has matched that feat.
