Michael Schumacher Health News: Family Opens 2019 With Rare Statement on Retired F1 Legend

Holiday 2018 marked the fifth year since Formula One legend Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident. Since then, the family maintained a rule of not releasing updates to the media about the former professional race car driver’s path to recovery.

However, the Schumacher family had a different approach recently and addressed fans to assure them that the F1 icon is continuously getting the best help. In a statement (via the Guardian), the family said, “You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him.”

Once again, Schumacher’s immediate family asked for fans to understand if they want to keep his rehabilitation out of the public eye per “Michael’s wishes” of “keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy.” Meanwhile, it is also important to note that the family’s rare statement came in time for his 50th birthday last Jan. 3.

Michael Schumacher has retired from F1 since 2012, but fans all over the world are still commemorating his achievements. And to pay tribute to his accomplishments, the family also announced the launch of an official app where fans can relive Schumacher’s long list of F1 successes. The mobile app, which is available on Android and iOS devices, was also launched on Jan. 3.

“The app is another milestone in our effort to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments,” the Schumacher family stated. “Michael can be proud of what he has achieved, and so are we ... we want to remember and celebrate his victories, his records, and his jubilation.”

Years since his retirement, Schumacher still holds the highest number of F1 world championship wins. The former Ferrari driver claimed 1st place trophies in 1994 to 1995 and from 2000 to 2004.

Despite the lack of official updates from the Schumacher family in the past years, a letter reportedly penned by his wife, Corinna Schumacher, surfaced in November 2018. First reported by German publication Bunte, Corinna purportedly sent a handwritten note to a fan to thank him for recording a song as a gift to Michael. Without detailing his health condition, Corinna assured the fan that Michael “is a fighter and will not give up.”