Former F1 figure Richard Hopkins, who became friends with Michael Schumacher during his racing days, heartbreakingly believes the public will never see the icon again.
F1 legend Schumacher – who won seven world championships – was involved in a tragic skiing incident in December 2013 that left him in a medically induced coma. He hasn’t appeared publicly since.
The German is cared for by a team of medical staff and his wife Corinna at their Lake Geneva home, but little has been made public about his condition.
Schumacher’s family remain very protective of his privacy and it is understood that many of their close friends and relations are even unsure about the state of his health.
Only a small group of people are believed to be able to visit Schumacher, according to reports, with this circle including former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt and technical director Ross Brawn.
And Hopkins, who was Head of Operations at Red Bull and previously Logistics Manager at McLaren, doesn’t think the high level of privacy around Schumacher will ever be relaxed.
Michael Schumacher’s friend Richard Hopkins has given an update on the German’s condition
Schumacher (pictured in 2005) hasn’t been seen in public since a skiing accident in 2013 left him in a medically induced coma, and he is cared for by a team of medical staff and his family
‘I haven’t heard anything recently,’ Hopkins told SPORTbible. ‘I understand he has a Finnish doctor, a personal doctor.
‘I don’t think we’ll see Michael again. I’m slightly uncomfortable talking about his condition because of how secretive, for the right reasons, the family wants to keep it.
‘So I can make a remark, have an opinion, but I’m not in that inner circle. I’m not Jean Todt, I’m not Ross Brawn, I’m not Gerhard Berger, who visit Michael. I’m a long way from that.’
Hopkins first met Schumacher in the early 1990s while working as a mechanic at McLaren, during the period when the German was driving for Benetton – and the pair grew close and shared regular coffee breaks around the paddock.
He was then asked if he had any insight on Schumacher or whether he had spoken to those who have seen the legendary driver.
‘I can’t say I’m best friends with Jean Todt, or Ross, or Gerhard,’ Hopkins added.
‘I think even if you were Ross Brawn’s best friend, and you asked how well Michael was, and even if you plied Ross with a lot of good red wine, I don’t think he would open up and share.
‘I think there is that respect with anybody who goes to visit Michael not to share anything.
Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt (R) is said to be in a select group who visit Schumacher
Schumacher’s family remain very protective of his privacy (pictured with wife Corinna in 2005)
‘That’s the way the family wants it to be. I think that’s fair and respectful towards the family. Even if I did know, the family would be disappointed if I shared anyway.’
Schumacher, who is now 56, is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, having claimed the world title in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
He also added 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums to his name during an iconic racing career.
Meanwhile, Hopkins recently opened up on his relationship with Schumacher and gave an insight into his character.
Speaking to The Sun last month, he said: ‘When you look at all the elements that make a world champion, he had them all – even the ones that weren’t always positive.’
Yet away from the sport and the spotlight, Schumacher revealed a very different side. Hopkins noted that, like his great rival Mika Hakkinen, Schumacher had a distinct ‘alter ego’ off the track.
‘If you didn’t know Michael, and you started watching F1 in 2004 or 2005, you would probably have an opinion of him at that period without knowing the person behind that persona,’ he added.
‘You might see this overconfident driver who had this absolute degree of arrogance – that 100 per cent belief.
‘You’d think he was probably a difficult person in his private life, but he certainly wasn’t. He was a great dad and a great husband.’
