HISTORIC Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher is now living permanently in Spain, according to the ex-wife of his old team manager.
Elisabeta Gregoraci, who used to be married to Flavio Briatore – Schumacher's boss during his Benetton Rénault days – says her former husband is one of just three people, other than medics or carers, who are allowed to visit the seven-times world champion racing driver.
Following his devastating off-piste skiing accident at the end of 2013, Michael Schumacher's condition has remained a mystery to his fans, and even most of his closest friends, since his wife Corinna closed ranks completely and has refused to give any information.
Serious head injuries left Schumacher, now 51, with irreversible brain damage and in an induced coma for some weeks – and a renowned neurologist has recently said he may be in a persistent vegetative state (PVS).
Although conscious, and able to sit up with help, it is not clear whether Schumacher is able to process information.
Elisabeta says: “He can't speak; he only communicates with his eyes.”
The ex-model spoke about the German motorsport legend during her recent spell on the Italian version of Big Brother, and confirmed that she knew through Briatore that the Schumacher family was now permanently based in Spain.
Having holidayed there frequently in happier times, Michael and Corinna are now reportedly living on the island of Mallorca, after the latter spent months arranging major renovations on the huge villa she had bought there in order to adapt it for her severely-disabled husband.
The villa, in Andratx and allegedly very secluded and difficult to spot from anywhere public – guaranteeing complete freedom from prying eyes, unscrupulous reporters or the paparazzi – belonged to Real Madrid CF's chairman Florentino Pérez until Corinna Schumacher bought it over a year ago.
Top neurologist gives 'pessimistic' view of Schumacher's prognosis
Whilst Michael was reported to be undergoing stem-cell treatment at the hands of a top cardiologist, the most recent medical professional to speak out about the one-time king of motorsport is not optimistic.
Zürich-based neurologist Dr Erich Riederer, on the Swiss TV channel RMC Story, said he believed the medics at Grénoble University Hospital acted too late.
Dr Riederer thinks those who were treating Schumacher were 'too traumatised by the celebrity status' of their patient and the 'media circus' surrounding his horrific accident in the French Alpes, and that 'perhaps for these reasons they did not act correctly'.
“In neurosurgery, we have a saying – 'time is brain',” Dr Riederer said on the show.
“This means you have to act immediately.
“In my opinion, they waited too long for the brain to heal. If you let time pass you by, brain mass is destroyed.”
Schumacher's doctors in Grénoble had said at the time that they could not operate until the swelling on his brain, caused by falling on his head when not wearing a helmet and skiing off-piste, had reduced.
He was in a medically-induced coma for some time, critical for the first few days, and had to have at least two operations to drain fluid from his brain.
Once he was stable, he was then able to go into surgery for brain reconstruction.
As yet, the Grénoble neurosurgery team has not responded to Dr Riederer's criticisms, but the Swiss specialist – even though he has not had any direct contact with the family, nor seen Schumacher or spoken to any of the medics treating him – says in his professional opinion, the sporting celebrity is likely to be in a PVS.
“He's breathing, his heart's beating, perhaps he can sit up or even take a few steps with help, but more than that, I don't believe,” said Riederer, who suspects Schumacher is 'not responding to outside stimulation' even though he is, to all intents and purposes, conscious.
RMC Story's documentary Michael Schumacher: In search of the truth had presenters talking to several experts on injuries similar to those of the racing driver in order to try to work out what his condition may be, in the absence of any concrete information forthcoming.
However, 'The Kaiser', as he is known on and off the F1 circuit, is likely to hit the headlines again after the weekend, but for all the right reasons and not for anything connected with him personally: British champion Lewis Hamilton is tipped to win Sunday's Grand Prix, meaning he will level up with Schumacher's hitherto unbroken record of 91 victories; also, Michael's son Mick Schumacher has netted another victory in Formula 2, in Russia, and is currently at the top of the standings.
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