Schumacher Condition Stable And Expect Less Updates
We are now several days into the coverage of Michael’s Schumacher’s skiing accident and the subsequent treatment for his head injury. As of today his condition is stable. From what I can interpret from the most recent news stories this is a “good”sign. Schumacher is by no means out of danger as of yet and no one is predicting what and to what degree the long term damage will be, if any. However, I don’t think anyone in the F1 world at large is hoping for anything less than a fully recovery. Most of us expect nothing less from one of the greatest F1 pilots the sport has ever known, if only for the simple fact we all know Schumacher’s fighting spirit, to never give up.
PS – Although this story will obviously not be going away anytime soon and news services and outlets will still be covering it comprehensively, Schumacher’s personal press agent Sabine Kehm has informed the press she will only be holding press updates if and when there is something to report, i.e. only if there is a change in Michael’s condition. Get Well Michael. -jp-
Fron GrandPrix 247
Press conferences regarding the condition of Michael Schumacher’s health will no longer occur, unless there is something significant to report.
That is the word from the injured seven time world champion’s PA Sabine Kehm, after reporting from the hospital in Grenoble that the great German is now “stable” but still “critical” in a coma after his skiing crash.
“I think the doctors have explained very well what is the plan,” she told German television. “So we will only hold press conferences when we have significant news from the doctors to report.
“To have to report to the press every morning would hinder the doctors, and we are all very keen for them to be able to work in peace,” added Kehm.
“I will not give status reports every day, at least while the situation remains stable and there is no change, either positively or negatively.”
While the news about Schumacher’s condition is scarce, the international media interest in the fate of Formula 1′s most successful driver remains unparalleled.
Some commentators have said the skiing fall, barely a year after he retired from Formula 1 for the second and final time, demonstrates that ‘adrenaline junkie’ Schumacher was unable to ease off the throttle.
Germany’s Bild newspaper quoted an eyewitness as saying Schumacher’s helmet was “cleaved in two” by the obviously high-speed impact.
“All your Formula 1 career you are at the limit,” Mika Salo, who subbed for an injured Schumacher at Ferrari in 1999, told the Finnish broadcaster MTV3.
“When you are used to living like that, then even in your hobbies you can hurt yourself, especially when you do them at an extreme level like Michael.”
Alain Prost added: “Every day after Formula 1, you try to fill the void but nothing gives you as much adrenaline,” the quadruple World Champion told Itele.
But others have defended the 45-year-old ex racer.
“[Schumacher] explained to me that often it looked to outsiders that he is addicted to risk and speed,” said RTL presenter Kai Ebel, perhaps the last to interview Schumacher at length earlier this month.
“But he knew very well his ability and told me with a very great emphasis that he is never out of control with the speed,” he told Bild newspaper.
Flavio Briatore, one of Schumacher’s first bosses in Formula 1, agrees.
“I was with him in a car – from the hotel or airport, or to the circuit – hundreds of times,” the Italian toldLa Gazzetta dello Sport, “and – believe me – I never saw him ‘do a Schumacher’. In traffic, Michael was very cautious, tolerant of those in his way. Now, he was skiing with his son and I cannot imagine he was going at breakneck speed.”
“It was the saddest New Year’s [eve] of my life,” Briatore, holidaying at his resort in Kenya, admitted.
Former Formula 1 driver Jarno Trulli also insisted that Schumacher is not reckless.
“He had just gone skiing with his child, as many fathers do,” he told Il Giornale. “Throughout his career, he was always very safety-conscious.
“Actually, it is thanks to Michael that during his years of activity in Formula 1, many improvements were made in the field of safety,” added Trulli.
“It’s true that a driver is used to living with risk, but it’s a calculated risk and certainly less dangerous than many kids out drinking on a Saturday night.
“We do our work and at Christmas we go on vacation,” said Trulli. “Just like Michael, I too am now going to the mountains to ski.” (GMM)
Subbed by AJN.
AmerF1can 
A sad sad news story for the motorsport community over Christmas, here’s hoping he is as strong as his character and he uses it to pull through and come out the other side unscathed.
When one of the UK’s top Olympic rowers James Cracknell had a cycling accident in the US in 2010 he pulled through but his brain injuries lead to the development of epilepsy and a change to his personality and an inability to control his temper, a whole other fight to follow after you have won the battle to live.
Hopefully Schumacher makes it back to his family in one piece, sadly it appears his accident came after he stopped to help a fellow skier, which adds yet another level of sadness to the tale.
Do you guys think he will get better? I have posted a full review of the accident, fingers crossed!
C.A.
the feeling i get from everything i have read is a recovery is likely. no where have i read anything with the subtext that he is in grave danger now that the operation have been preformed. however what i think will be the case is there will be some long term issues which will take some type of therapy. Then again I’m no expert so really i am in no position to speculate. only hope which we are all doing. Thx for the comment. -jp-