Michael Schumacher Latest News & Update: Retired F1 Driver Traveled by Helicopter for Birthday Celebrations, Reports Claim

Michael Schumacher has not been seen in public since meeting a major accident in 2013. But he reportedly continues to and was even able to fly by helicopter to celebrate the 2018 holiday and his 50th birthday.

German publications reported (via GP Fans) Schumacher and his family traveled to Port d’Andratx in Mallorca, Spain where they spent the holiday last year and stayed there through his birthday on Jan. 3. The family has yet to confirm the news but being cleared to fly for vacation implies that he has made significant recovery since the skiing accident.

Additional reports from the Daily Express said the Schumacher family flew from their residence in Gland, Switzerland last Dec. 20 and arrived at their family's vacation home in Port d’Andratx on the same day. It can be recalled that the Schumachers were once rumored to be permanently moving to Mallorca after it was confirmed they purchased the Mallorca-based property purportedly for €30 million (about $34 million). But his manager, Sabine Kehm, dismissed the speculations and said in a statement, “The fact is the Schumacher family does not plan to move to Mallorca.”

Following Schumacher’s accident, his family announced they intend to keep all details about his health recovery a private matter. However, in honor of his 50th birthday, they released a rare statement on his condition. “You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him,” the family assured fans.

Schumacher is still recognized as one of the best F1 drivers in the history of the professional car racing association. Since his 2006 retirement, he still holds the record of most F1 World Championship wins (7), most Grand Prix victories (91), and fastest lap finishes (77). In the same year, F1 said Schumacher is “statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen.”