‘Sometimes life isn’t fair’: Michael Schumacher's brother Ralf offers update after F1 legend's near-fatal accident

3 November 2023, 10:47 | Updated: 3 November 2023, 11:03

Ralf Schumacher gave a rare update on life after his brother's accident.
Ralf Schumacher gave a rare update on life after his brother's accident. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Jenny Medlicott

Michael Schumacher’s brother has said ‘sometimes life isn’t fair’ while opening up about life after the F1 legend’s near-fatal accident.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The F1 legend has not been seen in public after suffering life-threatening injuries in the French Alps in 2013.

After falling and hitting his head on a rock, Schumacher spent 250 days in a medically-induced coma in hospital before being permitted to return home.

Few have seen or visited the seven-time world champion since he suffered his near-fatal brain injury, and reports of the German's condition are extremely rare.

Now Schumacher’s brother, Ralf, who raced against his sibling in Formula 1 from 1997-2006, has given a brief update on the family’s life since the accident.

“Sometimes life isn’t fair, unfortunately. We have to accept it,” Ralf told German outlet Bunte.

“When I see his [Michael’s] kids, Gina-Maria and Mick, my heart smiles. If anyone in the family seeks my advice, I’m there.

“They’re making their way.”

Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, has kept his health condition out of the public for the last decade while he recovers in Switzerland home.

Read more: British Youtube duo highlight UK's cost of living crisis by spending £70 less on food shop in Poland

Read more: 'I’m allowed to put my seat back!': Row breaks out after passenger accused her fellow traveller of 'pushing her seat repeatedly' when she reclined it

The F1 legend's health condition has been kept private over the years.
The F1 legend's health condition has been kept private over the years. Picture: Alamy

It comes after the Schumacher family lawyer, Felix Damm, revealed earlier this week why a “final report” on the F1 driver’s health was never issued to the public.

“It was always about protecting private things,” he told German outlet LTO.

“We considered whether a final report about Michael’s health could be the right way to do this.

“But that wouldn’t have been the end of it and there would have had to be constantly updated ‘water level reports’ and it would not have been up to the family when the media interest in the story stopped.”

Last month Schumacher’s close friend Roger Benoit also gave a health update on the Ferrari icon’s condition as he claimed that it was one “without hope”.

In an interview with the Swiss newspaper Blick, Benoit refused to provide a specific update on Schumacher's condition.

When asked, he replied: "No. There is only one answer to this question and that is what his son Mick gave in one of his rare interviews in 2022 - 'I would give anything to talk to Dad'.

"This sentence says everything about how his father has been doing for over 3,500 days. A case without hope."

Schumacher's wife, Corinna, opened up about the accident in a Netflix documentary.
Schumacher's wife, Corinna, opened up about the accident in a Netflix documentary. Picture: Alamy

Schumacher's son Mick, who drove for the Formula One team Haas in 2021 and 2022 and is now a reserve driver for Mercedes and McLaren, said last year: "I think Dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now.

"We would have had much more to talk about, and that is where my head is most of the time, thinking that would be so cool. I would give up everything just for that."

The F1 legend's wife Corinna broke her silence about the accident in Netflix's documentary saying: "We’re together. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable.

"And to simply make him feel our family, our bond. And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, during the B-Girls Round Robin breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park in Paris,Credit: Australian Associated Press/Alamy Live News

Raygun quits competitive breakdancing after 'kangaroo' dance mocked at Paris Olympics

Keir Starmer has offered his 'hearty congratulations' to Donald Trump - but is facing pressure to apologise over past comments made by David Lammy

Starmer offers 'hearty congratulations' to Trump, but faces pressure over Lammy's past criticisms of president

Kamala Harris has conceded defeat to Donald Trump

'I concede the election but not the fight': Harris urges supporters not to despair despite defeat to Trump

Donald Trump speaks at his election night watch party, Wednesday

What does Trump's victory mean for war in the Middle East and in Ukraine?

Amy Dowden and former dance partner JB Gill

Amy Dowden gives health update after announcing she is dropping out of Strictly in 'heartbreaking' statement

Mpox only spreads between people who are in close proximity to each other.

Another case of new more infectious mpox strain detected in UK, bringing total to four

Kamala Harris spoke with Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory

Kamala Harris calls Trump to concede defeat and urges him to govern for all Americans as president

Exclusive
FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, right, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during their meeting at Trump Tower, on Sept. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump 'is serious about ending Ukraine war', says former national security adviser as he blames Biden for the conflict

Suzy Lamplugh disappeared in 1986, with John Cannan the prime suspect

Prime suspect in disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh dies in prison 40 years after estate agent went missing

Queen Camilla will return to her royal duties next week.

Palace gives update on Camilla's return to work after Queen falls ill

Catherine Warrilow spoke out over her issue with Ryanair

Shock as Ryanair force passenger to pay over £100 for carry-on case - even though it fit in the checker

File photo of migrants being rescued in the Channel

Over 50 migrants rescued in English Channel, as 'several bodies' also pulled from the sea

JK Rowling funds a women-only rape crisis centre in Edinburgh

£70,000 payout for woman at centre of rape centre's 'trans heresy hunt'

Ukraine says forces clashed with North Korean troops for first time

Ukraine says forces clashed with North Korean troops for first time

John Swinney says he will press the new US government not to reintroduce tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Fears for Scottish whisky jobs with Trump election

Kamala Harris set to give concession speech hours after supporters are told to leave watch party amid Trump victory

Kamala Harris set to give concession speech hours after supporters are told to leave watch party amid Trump victory