While many people will be using the current period to recover from the Christmas festivities and look forward to the new year, the F1 world pauses to reflect on today's date.
In 2013, exactly 12 years ago, news emerged that seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher had suffered a severe injury while skiing in Meribel, France.
Schumacher underwent multiple surgeries and was kept in an artificial coma, from which he awoke in the summer of 2014.
Since then, Schumacher has required around-the-clock care, but the true nature of his condition has been kept a private matter.
“It's very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible,” his wife Corinna said in a recent Netflix documentary.
Throughout his racing career, Mick Schumacher spoke highly about the influence of his father and stated in the aforementioned documentary that he would give up everything to be able to exchange thoughts with Michael.
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In 2025, no concrete updates were delivered, but the Schumacher family was in the news for a lawsuit which related to blackmail.
Three men were found guilty of trying to blackmail the Schumacher family as they threatened to upload hundreds of images and videos, as well as private medical records, if they did not receive €15 million.
One man was jailed for three years, while his son was issued a six-month suspended sentence for aiding and abetting extortion.
A former security guard at Schumacher's home denied any involvement and received a two-year suspended sentence, leading to an appeal by the family.
“We have appealed against what we consider to be the far too lenient sentence for Mr. F.," read a statement from Corinna Schumacher.
“In my opinion, he was the mastermind behind this. What still shocks me most is the massive breach of trust. He should receive a punishment that deters any potential copycats.”
Fortunately, the wishes for privacy are respected by most people, and he consistently remains in the minds of fans worldwide.
In Schumacher's name, the Keep Fighting Foundation was launched to continue his charity work.
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