Latest news with #FlavioBriatore
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Close Michael Schumacher friend paints sad picture of what F1 legend's life has now become after horror ski accident in 2013 left him with brain damage
Michael Schumacher 's former team boss Flavio Briatore has offered a poignant glimpse into the F1 legend's private world. He says he chooses to remember Schumacher as he was, rather than dwell on the heartbreaking reality of his condition more than 10 years after his devastating ski crash. Schumacher has not been seen publicly since suffering catastrophic brain injuries during a skiing accident in the French Alps in December 2013. The seven-time world champion, now 56, has been under 24-hour care at his family home in Switzerland ever since. In a rare comment, Briatore — who oversaw Schumacher's rise at Benetton and remains close to his wife, Corinna — reflected on how he chooses to remember the F1 great, rather than focus on his current condition. 'If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a win,' he told Corriere della Sera. 'I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though.' The stark image of Schumacher 'just lying on a bed' has reinforced the sense of tragedy surrounding his long struggle, with fans and even some friends largely kept in the dark due to the family's unwavering commitment to privacy. Briatore's comments echo those of his ex-wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci, who claimed in an earlier interview that Schumacher is unable to speak and is visited by only a handful of people. 'Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes,' she said. 'Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.' That aligns with reports from German journalist Felix Gorner, who said earlier this year the F1 icon is 'completely dependent' on caregivers and 'can no longer express himself verbally.' Despite the silence, a small circle of confidants continues to visit Schumacher — among them Jean Todt, the man who worked alongside him during his dominant Ferrari years. 'I see him regularly and with affection, him and his family. Our bond goes beyond the past work,' Todt told La Repubblica. 'It is part of my life, which today is very far from Formula 1.' Todt has previously revealed he watches races with Schumacher, even if things are no longer as they once were. In 2023, he told L'Equipe: '[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.' The Schumacher family's desire to shield him from public view has led to confusion — and at times, misinformation. Last year, reports circulated that Schumacher had attended daughter Gina-Maria's wedding in Majorca, but that was swiftly debunked. 'Unfortunately, from what I understand, that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it,' said former Benetton team-mate Johnny Herbert. Nonetheless, the family continue to involve Michael in moments of meaning. Earlier this year, it emerged that he had contributed to a helmet signed by every living F1 world champion for Sir Jackie Stewart's Race Against Dementia charity. 'It is wonderful that Michael could sign the helmet in this worthy cause,' Stewart told the Mail Sport. 'His wife helped him, and it completed the set of every single champion still with us.' Schumacher's wife Corinna also gave a rare glimpse into their life together in the 2021 Netflix documentary Schumacher, explaining how the family remain united around him. 'Michael is here. Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength, I find,' she said. '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 no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will.'
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Michael Schumacher's close pal gives update on F1 legends condition
Michael Schumacher's close friend and one time boss Flavio Briatore, has shared an emotional update on the health of the Formula One Superstar. Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury after a skiing accident in Meribel in the French Alps in December 2013, but since then very little has been made public about his condition, his family preferring to keep details private. Very few people have been allowed to visit the F1 ace, but close friends like Flavio Briatore have stayed in touch with the family and are thought to visit regularly. Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher. Pic: AFP PHOTO/Paul CROCK In the 2021 Netflix documentary, Michael Schumachers wife Corrine opened up about the impact her husband's accident has taken on their family, but she did not reveal anything specific about his treatment or his current condition. 'Michael is here. Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength, I find' said Corrine. Now, Flavio Briatore, who was responsible for signing a very young Schumacher to the Benetton Formula 1 team from Jordan, for his first full season in 1992, has given a glimpse into the condition of the man who went on to become an absolute legend in the sport of motor racing. Seven-time Formula One Drivers' Champion Michael Schumacher has not appeared publicly since his skiing accident in 2013. Pic: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images Briatore, who is now team boss at Alpine, spoke to one of Italy's most influential newspapers, Corriere della Sera, and while not giving away many details, Briatore hinted that Schumacher's mobility remains severely limited. In an emotional statement, the 75 year old Italian said 'If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory, I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed'. His comments are just some of the very few that have been made public about the F1 legend in the past 11 years, his wife Corrine and family fiercely guarding their privacy around Michael Schumachers health and ongoing treatment.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Motor racing-De Meo's exit changes nothing for Alpine F1 team, Briatore says
By Alan Baldwin MONTREAL (Reuters) -The departure from Renault of chief executive Luca de Meo changes nothing for the French carmaker's Alpine Formula One team, de facto principal Flavio Briatore told Reuters on Sunday. Renault announced Luca De Meo was leaving shortly after the newspaper Le Figaro reported he will take over the leadership of the luxury group Kering. Briatore, a title-winning boss of the Benetton and Renault F1 teams, returned to Formula One a year ago as executive adviser to De Meo and has been running the team since Oliver Oakes resigned as principal. Briatare has denied being tasked to improve the team's performance prior to selling it. Alpine are currently last of the 10 teams. "Nothing, absolutely nothing," Briatore said when asked after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal what De Meo's departure changed for the team. "Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job," he said. Alpine will compete with Mercedes power units next season after Renault decided last September to end engine production at its Viry-Chatillon factory outside Paris. The team, whose investors include Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, are currently alone in using Renault power units. De Meo said last October that Renault were spending up to 250 million euros ($289 million) a year on engine production while buying in from another manufacturer would cost less than $20 million. ($1 = 0.8662 euros) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNA
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
De Meo's exit changes nothing for Alpine F1 team, Briatore says
MONTREAL :The departure from Renault of chief executive Luca de Meo changes nothing for the French carmaker's Alpine Formula One team, de facto principal Flavio Briatore told Reuters on Sunday. Renault announced Luca De Meo was leaving shortly after the newspaper Le Figaro reported he will take over the leadership of the luxury group Kering. Briatore, a title-winning boss of the Benetton and Renault F1 teams, returned to Formula One a year ago as executive adviser to De Meo and has been running the team since Oliver Oakes resigned as principal. Briatare has denied being tasked to improve the team's performance prior to selling it. Alpine are currently last of the 10 teams. "Nothing, absolutely nothing," Briatore said when asked after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal what De Meo's departure changed for the team. "Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job," he said. Alpine will compete with Mercedes power units next season after Renault decided last September to end engine production at its Viry-Chatillon factory outside Paris. The team, whose investors include Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, are currently alone in using Renault power units. De Meo said last October that Renault were spending up to 250 million euros ($289 million) a year on engine production while buying in from another manufacturer would cost less than $20 million. ($1 = 0.8662 euros)
Reuters
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
De Meo's exit changes nothing for Alpine F1 team, Briatore says
MONTREAL, June 15 (Reuters) - The departure from Renault of chief executive Luca de Meo changes nothing for the French carmaker's Alpine Formula One team, de facto principal Flavio Briatore told Reuters on Sunday. Renault announced Luca De Meo was leaving shortly after the newspaper Le Figaro reported he will take over the leadership of the luxury group Kering. Briatore, a title-winning boss of the Benetton and Renault F1 teams, returned to Formula One a year ago as executive adviser to De Meo and has been running the team since Oliver Oakes resigned as principal. Briatare has denied being tasked to improve the team's performance prior to selling it. Alpine are currently last of the 10 teams. "Nothing, absolutely nothing," Briatore said when asked after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal what De Meo's departure changed for the team. "Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job," he said. Alpine will compete with Mercedes power units next season after Renault decided last September to end engine production at its Viry-Chatillon factory outside Paris. The team, whose investors include Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, are currently alone in using Renault power units. De Meo said last October that Renault were spending up to 250 million euros ($289 million) a year on engine production while buying in from another manufacturer would cost less than $20 million. ($1 = 0.8662 euros)
