Former Red Bull executive Richard Hopkins has shared an update on the health status of Michael Schumacher and expressed doubts about the possibility of the Formula 1 icon making a public appearance again. Since sustaining a severe head injury in a skiing accident in December 2013, Schumacher’s health condition has been closely guarded from public scrutiny.
Following the accident over a decade ago, Schumacher, now 56 years old, was placed in a medically induced coma, leading to a veil of secrecy surrounding his health. Hopkins, who previously held a senior position at Red Bull and developed a close bond with Schumacher during the latter’s racing career, emphasized the importance of respecting the family’s wishes for privacy regarding Schumacher’s well-being.
In a recent interview with SPORTbible via William Hill, Hopkins mentioned that he has not received recent updates on Schumacher’s condition but noted that the family prefers to maintain confidentiality, making it unlikely for the public to have any insight into Schumacher’s health. Despite his personal opinion, Hopkins acknowledged that he is not part of the inner circle privy to Schumacher’s current state, unlike figures like Jean Todt and Ross Brawn who have direct contact with Schumacher.
Having established a friendship with Schumacher in the 1990s while working at McLaren before moving to Red Bull, Hopkins highlighted the significance of respecting the family’s wishes to keep Schumacher’s health details private. He emphasized that even if he had privileged information, it would be against the family’s wishes to disclose any updates on Schumacher’s condition, underscoring the importance of maintaining confidentiality and showing respect towards the family’s stance on the matter.