'He is fighting': Former boss' rare update on Michael Schumacher
Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt has provided a rare update on Michael Schumacher after visiting the stricken Formula One legend.
Schumacher’s condition is largely unknown after he suffered head injuries in a devastating skiing accident in 2013.
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His friend and former boss at Ferrari, Todt continues to visit Schumacher at his home in Switzerland.
“I saw Michael last week,” the 74-year-old told The Mail on Sunday.
“He is fighting. I hope the world will be able to see him again.
“That is what he and his family are working towards.”
Todt was Schumacher’s team principal at Ferrari and is now the President of Formula One’s governing body - the FIA.
Schumacher won five consecutive World Drivers’ Championships under Todt’s leadership from 2000 to 2004.
Todt also spoke out amid debate around whether Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton is the greatest driver of all time.
“After an accident like the one Michael has had, does it matter whether Lewis has won more?” Todt said.
The Formula One legend suffered devastating injuries in an accident while skiing in the Swiss Alps in 2013.
Since then updates on the German’s condition have been few and far between, and his family have preferred to keep details around the tragedy to themselves.
In January a leading neurosurgeon said Schumacher would be “very altered” and “deteriorated”, warning fans not to expect miracles.
“We must imagine a person very different from the one we remember on the track, with a very altered and deteriorated organic, muscular and skeletal structure,” Nicola Acciari told Contro Copertina.
“All as a result of the brain trauma he suffered.”
Hamilton equals Schumacher record in Hungary
Meanwhile, Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix from pole for Mercedes on Sunday to claim a record-equalling eighth top spot at one race and take the lead in the Formula One championship.
Hamilton was imperious on a drying track under dark Budapest clouds as more rain threatened but didn't fall and he coasted to an 86th career victory and second of the season.
The Briton - who lapped both Ferraris - triumphed ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen who finished second despite a crash on his way to the grid and starting from seventh.
Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes was third, while Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo was eighth in his Renault after starting the race from 11th place on the grid.
Hamilton's eight wins at the Hungaroring since a first one in 2007 draw him level with Schumacher, who won the French GP eight times
Hamilton is now just five grands prix wins away from Schumacher's leading 91 and he can also emulate the German if he wins a seventh world title.
He tops the standings with 63 points from three races thanks to his second win in a row, five ahead of Bottas.
“It was one of my favourite races. I was on my own but we had great pace and a perfect strategy. The last two races have been fantastic for me and we need to keep it up,” Hamilton said.
Verstappen said: “The mechanics did an amazing job to fix the car. To pay them back with second place - I was pleased with that. To be able to split the two Mercedes is good for us.”
with AAP
