Michael Schumacher News Update: F1 Driver's Health Status Kept In The Dark Due To Media Blackout

By Jenn Loro - 24 Mar '16 06:38AM

For quite some time, the media has been unusually silent over Formula One racing ace Michael Schumacher's condition. The scarcity of news does not automatically mean his health status is getting worse. His family may just simply want to safeguard their privacy at all cost.

One of Shumacher's last known visitors was another renowned racing driver, Niki Lauda. But even the Formula One legend admitted that he didn't have that much access to seven-time Formula One champion's present condition.

"The family protects him and I understand that completely. But it means that all those who would like to know something, do not. I often think of him, but unfortunately, I have no contact. We all just hope, hope, hope," remarked Lauda as quoted by MNR Daily.

Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's manager and spokesperson, may give us a clue as to why a media news blackout effectively shuts the German driver and his family off from the public.

Interestingly, the champ appeared to have a secret wish; and that is to bury himself to oblivion away from prying eyes of the public. This is quite a challenge given legendary stature as the only person in the most prestigious car racing's history to have won the Formula One title seven times.

"I think it was his secret dream to be able to do that (disappear) someday. That's why now I still want to protect his wishes in that I don't let anything get out," Kehm said as quoted in a report by The BitBag.

Michael Schumacher met a terrible skiing accident with his son while taking a winter break in the French Alps back in December 2013. He managed to wake up from a drug-induced coma and has since been on rehabilitation in their Swiss home overlooking the pristine waters of the Geneva Lake.

According to a report by Crossmap, the German racing champion is crowned the world's richest driver with net worth of about $750 million. Even with such high net worth, the family is facing the spiraling care costs amounting to $15 million or $154,000 a week for his ongoing rehabilitation.