- Weber says 10 years after Schumacher’s skiing accident, he has no optimism left
- Schumacher who won seven world championships in Formula 1
- He was last seen in public in 2013
Willi Weber, a former manager of legendary F1 driver Michael Schumacher lost hope of ever seeing the German racer.
Weber says 10 years after Schumacher’s skiing accident, he has no optimism left about ever seeing him or getting positive news.
Schumacher won seven world championships in Formula 1, his last team being Ferrari.
He was last seen in public in 2013 before his tragic accident while skiing in the French Alps of Meribel.
How Long Did Willi Webber Manage Michael Schumacher?
Willi Weber managed Schumacher’s career until 2012, representing a significant and influential period in the Formula One legend’s professional journey.
Their collaboration began in the early 1990s when Weber, a former talent scout, recognized Schumacher’s potential. Under Weber’s guidance, Schumacher ascended to become one of the most successful and highest-earning sports stars of his time.
Former manager to Michael Schumacher Willi Weber. Photo/Przegald Sportowy
Weber’s role extended beyond mere business transactions; he fostered a close relationship with Schumacher and his family. Beyond the German driver, Weber also represented Schumacher’s brother, Ralf, in Formula One until November 2005.
Their partnership was marked by unprecedented success, with Schumacher clinching seven F1 World Championships.
The managerial alliance with Weber concluded in 2012, marking the end of an era.
Willi Weber Reacts to Michael Schumacher’s Illness
Unfortunately, Weber has since expressed a profound sense of hopelessness concerning Schumacher’s health following the tragic skiing accident in 2013.
The decade that has transpired since then has been devoid of positive updates, leaving Weber resigned to the reality that he may never see the F1 legend again.
Speaking about Schumacher’s accident, Weber said he heard the terrible news and cried painfully adding that he now has little chance of ever seeing the 54-year-old again.
“When I think of Michael now, unfortunately I don’t have anymore hope that I will see him again. No positive news after ten years,” he said during an interview with Cologne Express.
His biggest regret yet is not visiting his longtime friend immediately after the December 2013 skiing accident.
“I regret that very much and blame myself. I should have visited Michael in the hospital. I mourned like a dog after his accident. It hit me incredibly hard, you can imagine that. But at some point, the point came when I had to free myself from Michael and let go,” he added.
It has been hard on him for the past few years as many people who knew of his association with the F1 driver always asked him how [Schumacher] was doing.
In a surprising revelation in July 2022, Weber expressed lingering frustration, stating he was still unhappy about being excluded from Schumacher’s inner circle.
Michael Schumacher. Photo/Hello Magazine
He boldly assertion, that the family had to lie to him in an apparent attempt to prevent him from visiting him.
The 81-year-old F1 manager opened up on how he tried to contact Corina multiple times but she never answered.
He then reached out to Jean Todt asking if it was okay for him to go to the hospital and visit Schumacher but he was told that it was too early for the visit.
“I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn’t answer…’They kept me out, telling me, “It’s too early”, well, now it’s too late. It’s been nine years. Maybe they should just say it the way it is. ‘I didn’t expect behaviour like that and I’m still angry about it,” he told Gazetta dello Sport in 2022.
Michael Schumacher Early F1 Career
Born in Hurth, Germany, in 1969, Michael Schumacher’s early connection to racing began with his father Rolf, who owned a go-kart track in their hometown.
Familiarly known as “Schumey,” Michael initiated his journey into motorsports at the tender age of four.
Unlike many of his elite counterparts, Schumacher did not hail from a privileged background. The Schumacher family faced financial challenges, particularly during the winter when go-kart activities were hampered.
Nevertheless, he leveraged the family’s go-kart track to pursue his racing passion. Starting on go-kart tracks, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Germany’s junior go-kart champion in 1984 and 1987.
His success continued as he secured the German Formula Three (F3) championship in 1990.
Schumacher qualified ninth in his first race in Belgium. Despite a single race with Jordan and ensuing legal complexities, he was signed by Benetton, marking the beginning of his remarkable Formula One career.
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