Ex-Ferrari chief Jean Todt has opened up on the ‘affectionate’ visits he makes to stricken Michael Schumacher. The Formula 1 icon has been kept out of the public eye since suffering a serious injury in a skiing accident in December 2013. Schumacher’s family have kept his condition under wraps, while only a limited group of people are allowed to visit him. One of those who has seen the German since his accident is former Ferrari boss Jean Todt. The pair worked together for more than a decade.

And, understandably, Todt has also remained silent on Schumacher’s true condition, but he has still opened up on how he feels when he visits his long-term friend. Speaking to La Repubblica via Formula Passion, he said: “The family has decided not to answer the question. “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 and Schumacher enjoyed a very productive relationship during their respective times in F1. The former initially convinced Schumacher to join Scuderia in 1995. Todt was appointed CEO of the side in 2004, with Schumacher winning the seventh title of his career that year. Ferrari also won six straight Constructors' Championships under the influence of Todt. It is not the first time that he has opened up on his relationship with Schumacher. Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe in October last year, he said: "Michael is here, so I don’t miss him. [But 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.".

Is Michael Schumacher the best F1 driver of all time? Share your thoughts in the comments below. He added: "His life is different now and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him. That’s all there is to say. Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago. He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1.". Meanwhile, Schumacher’s wife Corinna gave a brief update on his health ahead of a Netflix documentary released in 2021 - and explained the family’s stance on their private nature. She said: “‘Private is private’, as he always said.

“It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us and now we are protecting Michael.”. "I miss Michael every day but it's not just me who misses him. It's the children, the family, his father, everyone around him," she added. "Everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here - different, but here. He still shows me how strong he is every day.”.

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