Michael Schumacher's close friend and former boss Jean Todt gives new insight on his condition, 10 years on from his horror skiing accident: 'He's simply not the Michael he used to be'

Former Ferrari and FIA chief Jean Todt has provided an update on the health of his former colleague and close friend Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher - who won seven world championships - was involved in a tragic skiing accident in December 2013 that left him in a medically induced coma. 

He hasn't appeared publicly since and the tenth anniversary of the aforementioned accident is approaching. 

The German is cared for by a team of medical staff and his wife Corinna at their Lake Geneva home, but little has been made public about his condition.

And Todt - who was Ferrari's Team Principal when Schumacher won five consecutive world titles between 2000 and 2004, before serving as their CEO from 2004 to 2008 - gave a rare insight into how Schumacher is getting on.

'Michael is here, so I don't miss him,' Todt, who continues to visit Schumacher at his house in Switzerland, told L'Equipe. 

'(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. 

'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.' 

Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, having claimed the world title in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.

He also added 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums to his name during his iconic racing career.

Schumacher's family remain very protective of his privacy and it is understood that many of their close friends and relations are even unsure about the state of his health.

However, in the Netflix documentary 'Schumacher', which aired in 2021, his wife Corinna did provide a rare update.

She revealed he continues to undergo rehabilitation for the life-changing injuries he suffered and claimed he is now 'different, but here'.

Fans are set to be offered a rare glimpse into the F1 legend's life this month with a new five-part documentary by German broadcaster ARD, which will air on December 28, marking 10 years since the horrific skiing accident. 

Although final details of the documentary are unclear, it is expected to look into his rise to prominence in the sport, while it could also offer more insight into what happened with the accident and how he is now getting on. 

Todt's comments on Schumacher also come after he threw his support behind the legal challenge by Felipe Massa over the 2008 world title last week.

Speaking to Italian outlet La Stampa, the 77-year-old claimed the infamous Singapore Grand Prix that season was 'rigged'.

He said: 'I don’t get into the controversy. For him (Massa), psychologically, it was very hard. 

'Maybe we (the FIA) could have been tougher when the story came out. There is no doubt that the Singapore Grand Prix was rigged and should have been cancelled.'