The Formula One legend has been out of the public eye for 12 years

A close friend of Michael Schumacher has expressed his belief that the Formula One legend will not appear in public again, more than a decade after his devastating skiing accident.

Richard Hopkins, former Red Bull operations chief who befriended the seven-time world champion during the 1990s, told SPORTbible: “I don’t think we’ll see Michael again.”

Hopkins acknowledged his discomfort discussing the German driver’s condition, citing the family’s deliberate secrecy surrounding his health.

“I’m slightly uncomfortable talking about his condition because of how secretive, for the right reasons, the family wants to keep it,” he explained to the publication.

Michael Schumacher suffered a skiing accident in 2013, which saw him placed in a coma for several months

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The 56-year-old Schumacher receives visitors at his Lake Geneva residence under extraordinarily controlled circumstances, with access restricted to an exclusive circle.

Hopkins revealed that former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, technical director Ross Brawn and driver Gerhard Berger are amongst the privileged few granted permission to see the racing icon.

He emphasised the unwavering discretion maintained by these visitors, stating: “Even if you plied Ross with a lot of good red wine, I don’t think he would open up and share.”

The former McLaren logistics manager stressed that this silence reflects the family’s explicit wishes, describing it as “fair and respectful towards the family.”

The catastrophic incident occurred on 29 December 2013 whilst Schumacher was skiing off-piste at the French resort of Meribel.

Michael Schumacher has been protected by wife Corinna Schumacher ever since his skiing accident in 2013 | GETTY

He struck his head on a rock during a fall, suffering severe brain trauma despite wearing protective headgear that medical professionals credited with preserving his life.

Following emergency airlift to hospital, he remained in an induced coma for several months and underwent approximately 250 days of neurological treatment.

Since returning to his Swiss residence, the racing champion has received round-the-clock care from medical professionals, including what Hopkins understands to be a Finnish personal physician.

The family has maintained complete silence regarding his medical status for years.

Hopkins’ connection to Schumacher dates back to the early 1990s when he worked as a McLaren mechanic whilst the German competed for Benetton.

The pair developed a friendship through regular coffee meetings around the Formula One paddock during that era.

Despite their history, Hopkins clarified he remains outside the intimate group permitted access to Schumacher, stating: “I’m not in that inner circle.”

He added that even if he possessed knowledge about Schumacher’s condition, sharing such information would disappoint the family.

Michael Schumacher was an icon with Ferrari during his time in the sport | GETTY

Hopkins previously described Schumacher’s wife Corinna’s approach, noting her adherence to her husband’s principle that “private is private.”