Michael Schumacher is one of the greatest racing drivers to have ever lived.

But in 2014 he suffered a devastating skiing accident that has kept him out of the public eye ever since.

With a record breaking seven championship wins to his name, five of them consectively, Schumacher has roared to victory more times than any other driver.

After starting karting as a child, the 51-year-old worked his way up to Formula One, spending most of his career driving for Mercedes.

However, he did switch to Ferrari in 1996, who had last won the championship in 1979, and transformed them into one of the most successful teams in the sport.

Even after he retired in 2006, he couldn't get the sport out of his blood and returned to the track just four years later.

Two years later he announced his career as a racing driver really was over for good and Britain's Lewis Hamilton replaced him at Mercedes.

In an emotional speech announcing his decision, Schumacher said while he still felt "able to compete with the best drivers" he wasn't sure if he had the "motivation and energy which is necessary to go on".

Just over a year after he announced his retirement, on December 29, 2013, while skiing with his then 14-year-old son, Mick, Schumacher suffered a devastating accident.

The father and son was skiing down the Combe de Saulire above Meribel in the French Alps.

It was while they were crossing an unsecured off-piste area that Schumacher, an accomplished skiier, fell and hit his head on a rock.

His life was saved by his ski helmet and the racing legend was airlifted to hospital and underwent two operations to save him.

Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma and his doctors said his condition was stable.

By June the following year, it was reported that Schumacher had regained consciousness and he was transferred to a hospital for rehab.

He was allowed home in September of that year, where his rehab has continued, but where updates about his condition have been few and far between.

His devoted wife, Corinna, and management team have always insisted his health is a private issue and have remained tight-lipped about what, if any, progress the racing legend has made since his injury.

In a rare update just before the sixth anniversary of Schumacher's devastating accident, Corrina said "big things start with small steps".

Then, in January this year, a neurosurgeon has claimed Schumacher's condition has "deteriorated" since the accident just over six six years ago.

Nicola Acciari said: "We must imagine a person very different from the one we remember on the track, with a very altered and deteriorated organic, muscular and skeletal structure,

"All as a result of the brain trauma he suffered."

Back in May, Schumacher's team-mate at Ferrari, Felipe Massa, gave a rare update into the champion's condition.

He said: "I know how he is, I have information. The main thing about all this is that we know his situation is not easy. He is in a difficult phase but we need to respect him and the family."

There finally seemed to be a glimmer of hope when reports last month claimed the F1 ace was to undergo stem cell surgery within days.

It gave hope to Schumacher's fans around the world but just days later the claims seemed to be false.

While his family maintained their silence they are thought to have not even considered the procedure during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, six years after his accident, the racing great is believed to have been left with devastating health complications because he has been confined to his bed for so long.

He is reported to now be suffering from muscle atrophy, which has caused his muscles to waste away and osteoporosis, which weakens bones.

It had been hoped the stem cell surgery would regenerate Schumacher's nervous system and would be carried out by French cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche.

The doctor has previously managed to graft healthy stems cells onto the heart by replacing damaged ones with a healthy replacement.

While the surgery is deemed to be safe there is currently no evidence as to what impact it would have on the brain.

Read more from the original source:
Felipe Massa gives rare insight into Michael Schumachers condition and recovery - Mirror Online