Michael Schumacher's close friend gives rare update on Ferrari F1 legend after visiting him regularly

A close friend of Michael Schumacher has made rare public comments about his meetings with the F1 legend since his 2013 skiing accident.

Schumacher has not been seen publicly since the accident, which occurred in the French Alps in December 2013, after suffering a traumatic brain injury while skiing.

The German, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, left hospital in September 2014 to continue his recovery with his family at home.

Since then, his family have strictly guarded his privacy and there have been few updates released about Schumacher or his condition.

Only a small inner circle of people are allowed access to Schumacher, with one of those being his former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt.

Todt, who was instrumental in Schumacher's move to Ferrari at the end of the 1995 season, was team principal of the Scuderia throughout the German's time with the team. The pair remained close friends after Schumacher retired in 2006.

In a new interview with Italian outlet La Republicca, Todt was asked about Schumacher and revealed that he still visits him regularly.

He said: "The family has decided not to answer the question [about his condition]. A choice that I respect.

"I see him regularly and with affection, him and his family. Our bond goes beyond the past work. It is part of my life, which today is very far from Formula 1."

Todt still has close connections to Schumacher's family, including his wife Corinna (pictured centre) (Image: Getty)

After leaving Ferrari in 2009, Todt was elected as the FIA President in 2009 and was re-elected twice, meaning he held the role until 2021.

He told L'Equipe in 2022 that he still watches races with seven-time F1 world champion Schumacher, but said he is now 'no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1'.

He said: "Michael is here, so I don't miss him. [He] is simply not the Michael he used to be. 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. That's all there is to say."