Michael Schumacher: Jean Todt Hopes To Attend F1 Race With 7-Time Champ

FIA president Jean Todt reiterated that he was not lying when he confirmed that he watched a Formula 1 race with Michael Schumacher, whose condition after his near fatal skiing accident has been kept secret. The former Ferrari team principal is hoping that one day he can do the same with Schumacher at the race venue rather than watch it on television.

Schumacher has not been seen in public since his skiing accident in 2013 and has been receiving round-the-clock care at his home in Switzerland. The family has chosen to keep details of his recovery process a secret and have given minimal updates about his present condition.

Todt has been among a few close friends who have access to the seven-time F1 world champion. The Frenchman, who was Ferrari team boss when Schumacher won five of his seven titles, revealed that it is an everyday fight for the German to improve his condition.

"There is no news other than the fact that Michael is fighting every day to improve the situation," Todt told Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica , as quoted on First Post. "It's clear that we all have to help him and hope that there will be, let's say, steady progress.”

"I've been telling the truth, I watch Grand Prix on television with him. I hope one day we can go together to attend a Grand Prix."

Schumacher’s condition is a fiercely guarded secret with the family adamant that it remain private. They made a rare statement ahead of Schumacher’s 50th birthday earlier this year when they revealed that he has the best hands caring for him while thanking fans for the support and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Todt has urged everyone to respect the family’s wishes and not amount to unnecessary speculation. He was also critical of the medical team in Paris for leaking information about Schumacher recently undergoing stem cell treatment at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital.

"We must accompany him in this fight, support his wife Corinna who is a fantastic woman, who cares for him, and their children. We must help them by respecting their wishes to the maximum," Todt said. "Michael is a racing legend. I'm not saying it's wrong to want to have news about him, but it's up to the family to decide what they want to say or not."

"I'm stunned to see that when he came to Paris for a check at the hospital, people who should respect medical confidentiality spoke. I find this unworthy and I hope we find the source," he added.