Shocking news hit the sporting world last weekend as seven time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is said to be in a critical condition following a skiing accident in the French Alps, at
Shocking news hit the sporting world last weekend as seven time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is said to be in a critical condition following a skiing accident in the French Alps, at the Meribel resort.
The 44 year old crashed near Grenoble and was airlifted to the local hospital where he remains in a medically induced coma. He has been operated on in order to release pressure from his head after he hit it on a rock whilst skiing off-piste.
The German is said to be currently fighting for his life and is lucky to be alive after he suffered internal bleeding. Schumacher was wearing a helmet during his crash and a doctor at the press conference on Monday morning confirmed that if it wasn’t for this then Schumacher may not have been saved.
His family are with him during this difficult time and the Formula 1 world has rallied round to give their full support. Felipe Massa, another driver, who suffered a horrendous crash in 2009 that left him in a coma, tweeted: ‘I am praying for you my brother!! I hope you have a quick recovery!! God bless you Michael.’
A great among F1 legends
Jenson Button, current McLaren driver, tweeted: ‘My thoughts are with Michael at this tough time…Michael more than anyone else has the strength to pull through this,’ whilst Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso added: ‘Get well soon Michael! Hope to hear some positive news very soon.’
David Coulthard, ex Formula 1 driver and current BBC commentator, described Schumacher as a ‘fighter’ linking his current fitness to hopeful signs of a strong recovery. During their F1 career Coulthard and Schumacher most famously had a controversial argument but their support for one another is clear.
During his career Schumacher achieved some astounding records, attaining 91 race victories in a career that spanned a total of 19 years. He retired from the sport for the second time in 2012 after his seat at Mercedes was taken by Brit Lewis Hamilton. Throughout 2013 Schumacher has been approached by Lotus to stand in for Finn Kimi Raikkonen but it was stated the German was enjoying his new found freedom too much to return.
Hour-by-hour
Over the course of his career he has managed a staggering total of 155 podium finishes out of 303 race starts, making him a great among Formula 1 legends. He also won five of his seven world championship titles consecutively.
This sad news follows on from disaster in the Formula 1 world throughout 2013 after the deaths of both reserve driver Maria de Villota and Canadian marshal, Mark Robinson.
Schumacher’s medical team currently know little of his actual condition, stating that signs weren’t promising to start with. When brought into hospital Schumacher was not responding well and it is this unpredictability, specifically of brain injuries, that is worrying for the moment. The doctors have since confirmed that they are currently working on an hour-by-hour basis and cannot yet predict the outcome for the German.
Schumacher’s birthday is on January 3rd and all will wish that he has a birthday he is able to look forward to. For now the German is in a stable condition but it is anyone’s guess what the overall prognosis for him shall be.
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Image: ph-stop / Flickr
