Michael Schumacher's method of communication with family a year on from public appearance

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher now communicates using his eyes, almost 12 years after the skiing accident that changed his life. The racing hero has been kept away from the limelight since suffering a severe brain injury in the French Alps back in December 2013, with his wife Corinna overseeing his care.

Initially, many fans hoped for a full recovery for the seven-time F1 champion. But they have slowly accepted the harsh reality that Schumacher might never return to the public eye.

However, this doesn't prevent him from interacting through other means. Visitors to the Schumacher family home have become rare in the years following his accident.

And fragments of information about the former racer and his current condition have emerged.

Elisabetta Gregoraci, the ex-wife of former Benetton boss Flavio Briatore, revealed to Spanish outlets in 2020 that Schumacher now communicates through his eyes.

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She explained: "Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him, and I know who they are. They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house."

Corinna, 56, who married Schumacher in 1995, has overseen her husband's care since his devastating injury. And that role has led to tight restrictions on the number of people allowed to see the racing great.

That being said, Schumacher reportedly made a rare public appearance in September 2024 when his daughter, Gina-Maria, got married. Despite conflicting accounts, it's claimed Schumacher was present for the wedding ceremony at the family villa in Mallorca.

German media claimed guests were asked to hand over all mobile phones to prevent photos being taken of Schumacher. It seems the measures, if true, were successful, as no leaked images of the former Ferrari superstar have surfaced a year later.

Most of Schumacher's care has taken place at the family's other residence on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. However, he has also spent considerable time at the family home in Mallorca since it was purchased in 2017.

Corinna completed the £27million purchase of the grand property, previously owned by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. There were earlier suggestions that the family were relocating permanently to the residence, but these reports were later dismissed.

Despite his absence from public life, Schumacher remains a much loved figure among F1 fans and friends alike. Jean Todt, his former team boss at Ferrari, has spoken warmly of their friendship but provided a sad update on the German's condition in 2023.

"Michael is here, so I don't miss him. [But he] is simply not the Michael he used to be," admitted Todt. "He is different and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him. His life is different now and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him."