MICHAEL Schumacher is “in a similar situation” to what he was just after his tragic skiing crash ten years ago, claims F1 legend Johnny Herbert.
The retired British racer, who competed with Schumacher for Benetton in 1989, sadly believes that things haven’t moved on much – if at all – for the German.
A lack of information on Schumacher’s decade-long recovery has made it difficult for friends and fans to know exactly what kind of state he’s in.
And it’s those infrequent updates from the 55-year-old’s close-knit circle that’s led Herbert to believe there is little to be positive about.
Speaking to BettingSites.co.uk, he said: “We’d all love to know that things are moving on in a positive way.
“But because we don’t have any information, we can only assume that he is not yet in a position where there is a chance of a recovery.
“In my opinion, and I must stress this, because we haven’t heard anything from the family, it shows that unfortunately he is probably in the similar situation as he was straight after the accident.
“It doesn’t seem they have moved much, if at all. I suppose the family is waiting for science to come up with something that will hopefully bring back the Michael we all knew.”
The years of mystery that have ensued since Schumacher’s skiing accident in December 2013 have even led to speculation and conflicting reports from “insiders” about his slow progress.
But Herbert was able to give an update himself, even if very minor, on Schumacher’s health.
“I hear bits only second hand,” he told BettingSites.co.uk. “I hear, from those within F1, he does sit at the table for dinner but don’t know if that is true. I can only read between the lines.”
The legendary German was left fighting for his life after suffering a severe brain injury that saw him placed in a medically induced coma.
But since being discharged from hospital in September 2014 to receive treatment at home, his recovery has been shrouded in mystery.
According to Herbert, however, this was to be expected.
“We haven’t heard much from the family and understandably so,” he said.
“That has always been very much a part of Michael and the family’s way to keep everything very private, very secretive.
“That has carried on from his racing days.”
Despite Schumacher’s family almost forbidding anyone to visit him, it’s understood that his secret inner circle is set to welcome another member.
Danish model Laila Hasanovic, 23, has been with Schumacher’s son, Mick, for 18 months and was given a vote of confidence by the family to see her partner’s father, according to reports.
And Schumacher’s daughter, Gina, is set to get married later this year at the family’s luxury villa in Majorca.
The 26-year-old will tie the knot with 27-year-old boyfriend Iain Bethke later this year, reports German magazine Bunte and Spanish publication Ultima Hora.
