Riccardo Patrese on Michael Schumacher: “I’m sure he doesn’t know he’s a seven-time world champion”

Michael Schumacher has been away from the spotlight ever since he suffered a life-changing skiing accident in 2013. The seven-time F1 champion was recently reported to have improved and can be wheeled around in a wheelchair. Now, Schumacher’s Benetton teammate during the 1993 F1 season, Riccardo Patrese, has spoken about his health and praised his family for the care they continue to provide.Riccardo Patrese drove alongside Michael Schumacher at Benetton during the 1993 F1 season. Schumacher raced for Benetton from 1991 to 1995, during which he won the F1 title in 1994. He claimed his maiden world championship with eight Grand Prix wins that season.Patrese spoke about Schumacher’s health in an interview with Hochgepokert, saying, “I had this news, via a friend, that he was improving. But I never met him after the accident.”“After the first improvements, my understanding of his health was that he was in the situation they described this week. He’s in his own world, but he recognizes the people around him, familiar faces. I am sure he does not know he is a seven-time world champion,” he added.Michael Schumacher’s wife, Corinna Schumacher, has been caring for him at their home along with a team of doctors. The family has decided not to make details of his condition public, and the F1 legend has not been seen in public since the accident.Giving credit to Schumacher’s family for his well-being, Patrese also said, “Of course, Michael is now living the way he is with a lot of effort from the family. I think in this kind of situation, it is a treasure for the person they love. Even with the condition he is in, they like to have him, care for him, and love him.”Schumacher suffered a severe head injury and underwent multiple surgeries after hitting a rock during a skiing accident in the French Alps. He had retired from Formula 1 a year before the accident. His record of seven world titles has since been equaled by Lewis Hamilton, who continues to race in F1.Also read: Michael Schumacher documentary Schumacher ’94 to arrive on Netflix this year as wife Corinna revisits his maiden title win