MICHAEL Schumacher’s wife and children gathered for a family Christmas – but left fans yearning for an update nine years on from his horror accident.
Their smiling family photo offered no clues on the F1 racing legend’s health following claims he is being cared for at a £27million villa in Majorca.
InstagramMick, Gina and Corinna Schumacher pose for a family photo on Christmas Eve[/caption]
InstagramLast week Mick changed his Instagram profile to a childhood pic in tribute to his dad[/caption]
The Schumachers are reported to be starting a new life in Majorca nine years after a horror ski accidentRex Features
WENNThis luxurious £30million villa has been linked to the Schumachers[/caption]
Mick, 23, who followed his father into F1, shared the snap on Instagram on Christmas Eve.
It shows him posing in front of three Christmas trees with mum Corinna, equestrian sister Gina-Maria and their dogs.
But it is not clear where the photo was taken as the family guard Michael’s privacy and are careful not to give too much away.
Mick was recently pictured in Texas with his sister who competes there in horse competitions.
The family home for years has been a lakeside mansion in Lausanne, Switzerland.
But it’s reported they have been preparing for a “new life” in Majorca.
Stricken Michael will reportedly spend the winter months at a £30million villa on the Spanish holiday island.
The luxurious property has reportedly been expanded and adapted to allow a team of 15 doctors and nurses to provide round-the-clock care costing £120,000 a week.
Devoted Corinna and their children all also reportedly expected to spend time at their new property, reports German magazine Die Bunte.
Today on the ninth anniversary of Schuey’s near-fatal skiing accident, fans shared tributes with the hashtag #KeepFightingMichael.
One said: “Michael is a warrior, we know he continues to fight every day.”
But other fans and even close pals accused his family of keeping his condition a secret.
Mick last week changed his Instagram profile pic to a childhood photo of him with his dad – which some feared could be a sign of bad news.
Former manager Willi Weber claimed Corinna snubbed his requests for health updates.
“I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn’t answer,” he told La Gazetta dello Sport.
“I called (ex-Ferrarri boss) Jean Todt to ask him if I should go to the hospital and he told me to wait – it’s too early.
“I called the next day and no one answered. I didn’t expect behaviour like that and I’m still angry about it.
“They kept me out, telling me it’s too early, well now it’s too late.
“It’s been nine years. Maybe they should just say it the way it is.”
Michael, 53, suffered a traumatic brain injury while skiing with teenager Mick near Meribel, France, on December 29, 2013.
Doctors battled to save his life and put him in a medically induced coma.
Since then he is said to have regained consciousness – but since then his family has kept details of his health a closely guarded secret.
After leaving hospital he was reportedly cared for by a private medical team at his home in Switzerland.
Only a few close friends including Todt were allowed to visit.
However in 2018 Corinna reportedly bought Villa Yasmin, a £27million pile in Majorca which was once owned by Real Madrid boss Florentino Pérez.
The huge property, near the ritzy town of Port Andratx, features two swimming pools, a large garden, a helipad, a guest villa and stunning sea views.
‘BIG PLANS’
More recently she also reportedly bought a £3million plot next door so she could expand it.
The expansive plot of land, full of dilapidated buildings and almond trees, was described as an “absolute rarity in the region of south-west Majorca”.
German glossy magazine Die Bunte claimed Corinna has “big plans” for the family in Spain, including suggestions they will be setting up a horse ranch.
The Schumacher family are said to have previously enjoyed life on the island – and it is a favourite destination among Schuey’s F1 pals.
Schumacher himself is reported to have made trips to the property by helicopter and spent time there.
In the past he visited his manager Willi Weber, whose own villa is just a ten minute drive from their new estate.
Other F1 stars with ties to Majorca include German star Nico Hulkenberg, who got married on the island, and current Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who also makes regular visits.
British F1 world champion Nigel Mansell also once lived on the island in a luxurious property on a private estate.
Die Bunte also reports that Gina-Maria and Mick both enjoy jet-skiing around the bay in the waters off the Balearic Island.
Corinna is thought to have major ideas for their new home – including setting up their new plot of land to be a horse ranch.
She wants to make sure Michael has the “best medical care” and is with the family “as much as possible”.
The family already have horses in Texas and at their home in Switzerland.
She could seek to breed horses and sell them on the land – potentially even hosting competitions in Majorca.
The land they have bought is reportedly designated as an agricultural area, meaning there should be no problems in building stables and setting up meadows.
Reports of the Schumacher family ties to Majorca have emerged multiple times in the last four years – including reports they were planning to buy the plot land dating back to May 2021.
The plot was reported at the time to have been to “raise and ride horses on”.
Schumacher’s daughter is a non-professional horse rider and equestrian while Corinna won the European Championship in western-style horse riding in 2010.
Gina-Maria’s boyfriend, Iain Bethke, is also a show jumper.
Horses are a key part of the Schumacher family, with Michael himself also enjoying riding and taking part in rodeos.
It was reported last year that Corinna was selling the family’s £6.4million mansion on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
She is also said to have sold their private jet and £30million holiday home in Norway to fund Michael’s care package.
The family initially denied plans in 2018 they were going to move into the plush Majorca villa, but reports have persisted – including claims neighbours saw them at the property in 2019.
And the mayor also claimed the family had moved in.
The lack of official updates on Michael’s health has left room for speculation and conflicting reports from “insiders” about his slow progress.
Some have claimed he was in a vegetative state while others claimed he was awake and able to talk.
Schumacher’s pal ex-F1 boss Jean Todt – who is understood be one of few friends who goes to see the stricken driver – gave a rare update in July this year.
The 74-year-old told German TV channel RTL: “I don’t miss Michael, I see him. Yes, it’s true, I watch races with Michael.
“But sure, I guess what I miss is what we used to do together.”
The former Ferrari chief previously told how he “hopes the world” will be able to see his dear friend again, revealing Schumacher has “never changed”.
He continued: “I don’t leave him alone. Him, Corinna, the family, we’ve had so many experiences together.
“The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and it goes on.
“Sometimes success and money changes you. But Michael has never changed. He’s so strong.”
The F1 legend was a seven-time-world champion – winning five times for Ferrari and twice for Benetton – and is regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
He raced from 1991 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012, winning 91 races.
And the brief second act of his career saw him become instrumental in setting up Lewis Hamilton’s dominant Mercedes team.
InstagramMick Schumacher sparked fears for his dad’s health by changing his Instagram profile to this childhood snap last week[/caption]
Rex FeaturesMichael Schumacher and Corinna got married in 1995[/caption]
Michael and Corinna with son Mick and daughter Gina-Maria as childrenNetflix
Michael’s son Mick pictured on a jet ski with F1 pal Esteban Ocon
Keen horse rider Corinna Schumacher is said to be planning to set up stables in MajorcaRex