Michael Schumacher, 11 years old already

On this Sunday, December 29, 2013, Michael Schumacher was on holiday in the Méribel resort (Savoie) with his family when he injured his head after hitting a rock in an ungroomed area of ​​the Savoyard ski area. It was 11:07. A few minutes later, first responders arrived at the scene of the accident. The seven-time world champion was first airlifted to the hospital at the Albertville-Moûtiers intercommunal hospital centre (Savoie) before being transferred to the Grenoble university hospital centre (CHU) (Isère) less than an hour later.

The first official press release falls in the evening. He states “ severe head trauma, with coma, which immediately required neurosurgical intervention " Schumacher remains in a critical condition and his life is in danger. The next day, the professors of the neurosurgery department where the German is being treated state at a press conference that " we cannot comment on the future of Michael Schumacher ". While Rolf and Ralf Schumacher, the father and brother of the Red Baron, arrive at his bedside, while his fans crowd in numbers under the windows of the hospital to cry out their distress and show their support, the fever that has broken out The media's grip on the Kaiser's state of health is increasing in intensity. A journalist goes so far as to disguise himself as a priest to gain access to the patient's room.

Formerly his press secretary and then his manager, Sabine Kehm ensures that Michael Schumacher's sporting legacy is preserved, notably through the Keep Fighting foundation, and the privacy of his family. / © DPPI

Sabine Kehm as temple guardian

In this climate of collective hysteria, a voice friendly to the Schumacher family will quickly emerge from the hubbub to try to put an end to the escalation of passions. Former reporter specializing in motor sports for the daily newspaper Die Welt, Sabine Kehm has supported the German champion since the end of the 1999 season, first as press officer replacing Heiner Buchinger, then as manager thereafter as well.

Faced with the pack that surrounds her, this member of the inner circle very quickly lays the groundwork for her communication strategy by asserting that “ any information (regarding Schumacher) not coming from the doctors or its management should be considered as pure speculation ". As the weeks go by, official health reports become increasingly rare, sparse witnesses to a long and slow recovery.

In April 2014, Sabine Kehm spoke about “ phases of awakening and consciousness » and mentions “ an ability to react with those around you » without further details. In June of the same year, she announced that “ Michael Schumacher left Grenoble University Hospital to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is no longer in a coma. His family wants to thank the Grenoble medical team but also the first people who came to his aid following his accident. His family also wants to salute all the people who sent him all their affection. For the future, his rehabilitation will take place out of sight ". The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) in Lausanne (Switzerland) then took over during the summer before Schumacher returned to his imposing estate in Gland (Switzerland) in early September to continue his rehabilitation at home on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Schumi, opium and kryptonite of the tabloid press

Since then, nothing. Or almost. Because Schumi's state of health continues to fuel the rumor machine, particularly in Germany, and sometimes forces Sabine Kehm to crumble the thick wall of silence which surrounds the former 307 Grand Prix driver and his family.

In December 2015, the magazine The colorful evokes on the front page: “A Christmas miracle” with this affirmation: Schumacher “can walk again”. The reaction of those close to her was not long in coming, Sabine Kehm criticizing the attitude of the tabloid.

« Unfortunately, we are forced to clarify recently published allegations that Michael may be walking to say are not trueshe says. This kind of speculation is simply irresponsible. Given the severity of his injuries, respect for Michael's privacy is essential. This type of article also gives false hope to many people. ».

Represented by Felix Damm, a lawyer based in Frankfurt (Germany) and specializing in the defense of the privacy of stars, the family does not hesitate to initiate legal proceedings and has notably obtained the payment of compensation of 50 euros from Die Bunte. At the beginning of 000, a new milestone is crossed in indignity when the weekly Actual claims to have obtained a world exclusive interview with Michael Schumacher.

The magazine also dedicated its cover to the said interview, with a headline as evocative as it was scandalous “ The first interview ”, accompanied by the words “ Global sensation ". The interview is also titled “ My life has completely changed » and begins strangely like this: “ This seems wrong. We asked him how he was really doing. Finally, ten years after his tragic ski accident, we get answers ».

The problem ? This is because the interview was not carried out with Schumacher, but via… artificial intelligence, on the basis of previous interviews granted by certain family members and relatives of the greatest driver Ferrari Of the history. The magazine makes no secret of it, and mentions it at the end of the article, in small letters, as if the only purpose of precision was to protect itself legally. “ Did Michael Schumacher really say everything himself? The interview was conducted online. On a page that deals with artificial intelligence, or AI for short ". This " shame interview » logically arouses an outcry in Germany and Europe. Schumacher's family filed a complaint and the editor-in-chief of the publication was fired militarily.

Mick Schumacher, Michael's son, can count on the support and wise advice of Sabine Kehm. / © DPPI

Radio silence

If the righteousness and devotion of Sabine Kehm are unanimously praised, opinions differ on the almost total blackout established by Schumacher's entourage regarding his state of health. Some believe that they would be better off communicating once and for all and thus putting an end to rumors. A colleague from across the Rhine explains to us why he considers Sabine Kehm’s approach relevant.

« She made the following point, and I think she's right: if you start giving one piece of information, people will want another piece of information, and so on. This will never stop. I think it's better this way, even if it's a very complicated situation to negotiate. You have to be strong, like Sabine is. Otherwise it wouldn't work ". Other journalists we have been able to interview over the years agree that covering Schumacher's health is not easy, which we have also been able to observe. How can you write when there is nothing to say? When the slightest unfounded pseudo-information sets the web ablaze?

« It’s complicated because you have to check twice, three times, four times before publishing the article, examine the sources carefully and finally see with Sabine, one tells us. This is a tricky subject to say the least. The tabloid press only speculates and does so to crazy proportions. The problem for Michael's family and for Sabine is that if they start denying it all the time, they start talking ».

Warm and helpful when it comes to discussing the events set up to celebrate Schumacher's career, the press officer modestly refuses to answer when asked about the challenge of protecting her private life in the age of social networks and constant publicity. Sabine Kehm knows very well that her every statement will be analyzed, dissected, scrutinized from every angle to try to find some semblance of a clue concerning Schumacher's health. She is lucid about her responsibility and knows the issues that accompany her position because she represents Michael in the eyes of the general public. », concludes one of our interlocutors.

It's not easy for Mick to make a name for himself when you are the son of a legend like Michael Schumacher. / © DPPI

Mick, in the name of the father

In recent years, the name Schumacher has reappeared more frequently in the Sports section thanks to the performances of his 25-year-old son Mick. If his famous surname has facilitated the opening of many doors, including those of the F1 where he spent two seasons as a starter at Haas (2021-22), family inheritance can quickly turn into a burden. The former F1 reserve at Mercedes et in the shape of Alpine in Hypercar willingly accepts it and tries to chart his own path, he who has seen Lewis Hamilton equal his father in the number of world titles (7) and surpass him in career victories (currently 105 for Sir Lewis, 91 for Michael Schumacher).

Mick sees his roots as a source of pride and additional motivation, and not a way of the cross. If journalists avoid discussing the father's question head-on, some try to approach the subject in a roundabout way, in the hope of getting a word from the son. Wasted effort: Mick was too well trained by those around him to offer even a crumb to the writers.

The result is ultra-cautious and consensual responses that outline a smooth personality. This does not mean that the 25-year-old refuses to talk about his origins. On the contrary, he is even very proud of it and never misses an opportunity to climb aboard single-seaters that built his father's legend: the Benetton B194 at Spa in 2017, the Ferrari F2004 at Hockenheim in 2019, then at Mugello the following year, and then the Jordan 191 with which Michael debuted during the Belgian Grand Prix in 1991. Was this the best way for him to interact with his father? To keep the thread of communication taut that is necessarily different today?

Watching him continually honor Michael's career, one could get the impression that Mick's career resembled a succession of tributes. Since the end of his collaboration with Ferrari and his arrival in the Mercedes fold, the situation seems to have normalized. In 2024, 10 years after his last year in karting – a time when he rode under the maternal name of Betsch -, Mick returned to competition with Alpine in the queen category ofEndurance without sweeping away the hope of a return to F1 as a regular. 10 years of battling to make a name for himself in a career inevitably marked by the titanic shadow cast by his illustrious father, an absentee who was so present.

Michael Schumacher fans have had almost no news from the seven-time F10 world champion for 1 years. / © DPPI

AUTOhebdo has dedicated a Collector retracing the career of Michael Schumacher. It is available in The online store.