Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has given a rare insight into the condition of Michael Schumacher.
It's approaching eight years since the seven-time Formula 1 world champion suffered life-changing injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps.
At the time, Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma and did not leave a hospital in Grenoble until the summer of 2014.
Details of his condition have remained fiercely private, with only sporadic updates forthcoming. In 2016, his lawyer Felix Damm told a German court that Schumacher "cannot walk" in response to a German magazine claim that he had regained the ability to walk again.
His former Ferrari boss Todt remains a close family friend, and gave SportBild a tentative update on Schumacher's status.
"I have spent a lot of time with [Schumacher's wife] Corinna since the accident. She is a wonderful woman, leading the family.
"Thanks to the work of the doctors and Corinna, who wanted him to survive, Michael did survive, but with consequences.
SCHUMACHER – the first film supported by his family – gives unique insights into the life of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher. Only on Netflix, from 15 September. pic.twitter.com/ChcEEaKfsb
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) July 30, 2021
"For now, we are fighting against these consequences. We hope that the situation will improve, albeit slowly."
Schumacher won five titles at Ferrari, overseen by Todt, between 2000 and 2004.
The 52-year old is the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary series detailing his life and career. It will feature new interviews with his wife Corrina as well as his children Mick and Gina.
Director and co-producer Vanessa Nöcker said, "The greatest challenge for the directors was certainly to find the balance between independent reporting and consideration for the family.
“Corinna Schumacher herself was our greatest support in this. She herself wanted to make an authentic film, to show Michael as he is, with all his ups and downs, without any sugarcoating.
“She was great and brave enough to let us do what we wanted, and so we respected and kept her boundaries. A very inspiring, warm woman who made a lasting impression on all of us.”
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