Schumacher Fell Trying To Help A Friend, Says His Manager

Sabhine Kehm, Michael Schumacher’s agent, has described how Schumacher’s accident occurred while trying to help a friend.

Schumacher, 44, remains in a medically induced coma today as doctors at the Grenoble hospital fight to save his life. He fell on an unmarked ski slope on Sunday morning, hitting his head on a rock and causing serious head injuries. Doctors today said that his condition had improved slightly, but that he remains critical.

“Michael and a group had been skiing on a slope which was a normal slope.” Ms. Kehm told journalists outside Grenoble hospital. “There was a slope with deep snow. Michael went into that and what people tell me is that he was not going at high-speed.”

“It seemed that he had helped a friend that had just fallen. So he started to ski again and went into deep snow, and apparently, this is what we guess, he hit a rock which he had not seen when he wanted to do a curve and he was catapulted in the air and he fell down hitting another rock which was extreme bad luck and circumstance.”

“I’ve spoken with several people and ski teachers and they tell me it can happen at even 10 kilometres per hour, it is just very unfortunate.”

She also told of how a journalist, whose identity has not been revealed, disguised himself as a priest in an attempt to get into Schumacher’s room yesterday.

Doctors Report ‘Slight Improvement’, But Warn Schumacher Still Critical

Doctors treating Michael Schumacher in Grenoble have today said that the 44-year-old has shown a slight improvement, but warned that he is still in a critical condition.

Schumacher has been in a medically induced coma since Sunday morning after suffering a ski fall at the Meribel Ski Resort in France. Upon arriving at Grenoble, he underwent immediate surgery to alleviate pressure on his brain.

After examinations on Monday night, doctors noticed an unexpected improvement in Schumacher’s condition and discovered a large hematoma on the left side of his brain which they could access. They conducted a surgery at 10pm on Monday and this helped to relieve the inter-cranial pressure.

“There was one hematoma that was larger and more accessible, so we were able to get rid of it without any risk,” said Dr. Emmanual Gay in a press-conference this morning. “Thanks to that we were better able to control inter-cranial pressure. There’s still a lot of hemorrhaging.”

They say that Schumacher’s condition has stabilised and that they will keep him in a coma until his condition improved. However, they said that a number of lesions remain on his brain which make it impossible to give a prognosis.

Schumacher In Critical Condition After Skiing Accident

Michael Schumacher is in a coma as a result of head trauma sustained in an accident at a ski resort in France. His condition was tonight described as ‘critical’.

The accident happened when Schumacher and his son, Mick, were skiing on an unmarked slope at the Meribel ski resort. Schumacher fell and hit his head on a rock. Rescue workers were at the scene within minutes and immediately requested an air-ambulance to transport Schumacher to the local Moutiers hospital.

After arriving at the hospital, Schumacher was then forwarded to Grenoble hospital where he remains. A French neurologist, Gerard Saillant, who is also close friends with Schumacher, was rushed to the his bedside, where his wife Corinna and his two children already held vigil.

His condition was initially described as “not very serious”, by the Meribel resort director, Gernignon Christophe Lecomte. However, this claim was contradicted by the local mountain guard who reported Schumacher’s condition as being “relatively serious” but not life threatening.

Schumacher’s agent, Sabine Kehm, then released a short statement in which she said, “Michael fell on his head during a private ski trip in the French Alps. He was hospitalised and is receiving medical care. We ask for your understanding that we cannot give a running commentary on his state of health.” 

An official update was scheduled for 8pm local time, but the hospital then cancelled the press conference and Schumacher’s management was due to release a written statement shortly afterwards, which did not come for some time.

At almost twenty-to-eleven local time, Schumacher’s management broke the news that he was in a coma following major head injuries he suffered in the fall. They classified his condition as ‘critical’ and said that he required urgent neurological treatment upon arrival at Grenoble.

No further details have yet been released.

Schumacher Injured In Skiing Accident

Michael Schumacher has been airlifted to hospital after a skiing accident in France.

The seven-time World Champion was on holidays with his son, Mick, when the accident happened. Schumacher was skiing on an unmarked slope when he fell and hit his head on a rock. Early reports were that Schumacher had suffered “serious head injuries”, but it is now believed to be less serious as he was wearing a helmet at the time.

Gernignon Christophe Lecomte, the director at Meribel ski resort, played down Schumacher’s injuries, saying that help arrived quickly and his condition was ‘not very serious’.

“He fell at 11:07, whilst skiing off-piste at Meribel. He was wearing a helmet and banged against a rock. Relief responded quickly at 11:15. He was airlifted and taken to hospital at Moutiers (15km away),” Lecomte said.

“He was shocked, a little shaken but conscious. It may be a head injury but it is not very serious.”

However, the mountain guard, who would have assisted in Schumacher’s early recovery and treatment, believe that his injuries were “relatively serious”, but not life threatening.

Sabine Kehm, Schumacher’s agent, released a statement in which she said,  “Michael fell on his head during a private ski trip in the French Alps. He was hospitalised and is receiving medical care. We ask for your understanding that we cannot give a running commentary on his state of health.” 

After initially being airlifted to Moutiers hospital, Schumacher was forwarded to Grenoble who are currently treating him. His management will release another statement soon.

Richard Cregan Leaves Yas Marina For Sochi

Irishman Richard Cregan has left his post at the Yas Marina circuit and is headed for a new role at the upcoming Russian Grand Prix.

The former Toyota team manager was previously the chief executive of the Yas Marina circuit, the track which plays host to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.  Now though, he has signed a three-year contract with the Russian Grand Prix, which will hold its inaugural running in October of next year. Although no longer the chief executive, Cregan will hold an advisory position with Yas Marina.

“Moving on from Abu Dhabi was a tough decision for me but I have always enjoyed a new challenge and remain an advisor to the chairman and management there,” Cregan said.

“I am convinced that the F1 Russian Grand Prix will become one of the iconic events in the Formula 1 calendar and we will be able to build a very successful business by utilising the amazing assets and the passion of the team here in Sochi.”

Russian Grand Prix promoter, Oleg Zabara said, “The combined, impressive experience that the international consultants have, their understanding of the Formula 1 world, and the desire to do the F1 Russian Grand Prix at the highest level guarantee a good result of our teamwork.

“The knowledge and experience which we will get in the course of this co-operation will ensure not only the hosting of a world-class grand prix, but also effective use of the autodrome in Sochi all year round.”

The Russian Grand Prix will be held on the 12th of October 2014.

Tyre Explosion At Pirelli Test

Paul Hembery (Pirelli) stands beside 2013 compounds

Nico Rosberg today took to Twitter to report a tyre explosion at the three-day Pirelli tyre test in Bahrain.

The test, which is being held to establish a grounding for both tyre supplier and teams for the coming season, features six teams, including Mercedes who nominated Rosberg as their driver for all three days.

“Just spun at full speed 320km/h on Bahrain straight cause my tire blew up without warning,” Rosberg tweeted before hastily deleting it.

In their press release this afternoon, Pirelli said, “This morning Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes was fitted with one of these prototypes, a tyre which had only been tested in the laboratory and which will not be proposed again.”

They also moved to quell fears over the safety of the tyres, “Thus, the safety of the tyres which will be supplied for the next Championship is not in question. The accident which happened to Rosberg’s car is being investigated and the findings will be communicated to the FIA and the teams.”

The Pirelli tyres came under much criticism after the Silverstone Grand Prix which saw numerous tyre explosions in the opening laps prompting a red flag. Rosberg’s team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, was the biggest loser – losing his comfortable lead at his home Grand Prix following a spontaneous explosion.

Irvine Blasts Double Points Rule

Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine has hit out at the proposed double points rule which is due to take effect in 2014.

The outspoken Irishman was speaking in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph this week, and labeled the proposed regulations as “embarrassing and insane”.

“It’s ridiculous, I’ve never heard such a joke in all my life,” he said. “Talk about tinsel town bulls***!” Irvine is quoted as saying.

“I think Formula One has lost its way. This latest rule of double points for the last race is insanity. That actually made me realise I am not going to watch another race until that rule gets kicked out. That is just embarrassing. It really is. They should be ashamed of themselves.

“I just think the people involved in these decisions have lost the plot. They have no understanding of reality and the people who are in there have been in too long. They have blown up the history of the sport by changing the points, changing the qualifying and now double points for the final race!”

Irvine, who also drove for Jordan and Jaguar during his ten-year career in Formula One, echoed the views of reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel who called the idea ‘absurd’. The regulation has been a bone of contention since it was announced last week, with a unanimous criticism from the sport’s fans.

The idea is to award double points (fifty for a win, two for tenth etc.) at the final race of the year (which will be Abu Dhabi in 2014) as to raise the importance of the final Grand Prix. However, the general feeling from fans is that this takes away from the race and play havoc with the Championship.

Sutil Sauber Bound

Adrian Sutil is the latest in a string of drivers to announce a change in scenery for the 2014 Formula One season.

The German, who has driven for Force India on-and-off for the last five years, was recently left drive-less as first Nico Hulkenberg and then Sergio Perez were confirmed at the Silverstone-based outfit.

Today, however, it was confirmed that 30-year-old Sutil would take up a seat at Swiss outfit Sauber, partnering Esteban Gutierrez who will be competing in his second season in F1.

“Adrian is not only very fast, but also brings a lot of experience, which is very important looking at the new regulations for next year,” Sauber team-principal Monisha Kaltenborn said today.

Meanwhile, Sutil said, “I am very happy that we found common ground. Although I have known for a while where I wanted to go, in the end the negotiations took a bit longer than planned. However, now I will have all the more reason to celebrate during the Christmas season. I’ve been in contact with Monisha for a while and she always gave me the feeling my qualities are valued.” 

Sutil’s 2013 team-mate, Paul di Resta, looks to be left without a drive for the coming season, and will most probably make a return to DTM or head stateside to compete in IndyCar.

Image courtesy Getty Images.

Perez Confirmed At Force India

Sergio Perez has been announced as Force India’s second driver for 2014.

The Mexican was dropped only a year after making his year with debut, with the team citing ‘unbridgeable gaps in pace’ between Perez and his seemingly faster team-mate, Jenson Button. In a weird twist, McLaren, the team who gave Checo the boot, announced proudly that they were going team-to-team recommending him.

Although unusual, it worked and Perez was today confirmed at the Silverstone based team who, for the first half of the season at least, were quicker than McLaren.

“It’s great to announce my new team as Sahara Force India,” Perez said. “Coming here was always my first choice and I’m really happy everything has now been confirmed. I want to say thank you to Vijay and the whole team for giving me the opportunity.

“This is a young team with a lot of determination and they’ve produced competitive cars for the last few years. It’s all change for next season with the new regulations, but I already have a good feeling about 2014. My plan now is to visit the factory and get to know everyone in the team.”

Vijay Mallya, the Force India owner, said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Sergio to the team. He brings a healthy mix of youth and experience, and I’ve been very impressed with his recent performances. He already has several podium finishes to his name and being chosen by McLaren last year was a clear indication that he is a driver to watch for the future.”

Nico Hulkenberg was the first driver to be confirmed at Force India, returning to the team after a year with Sauber. Force India’s 2013 line-up of Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta have not yet been confirmed on the grid for next year, with speculation suggesting that Di Resta could return to DTM or go state-side to try his hand in IndyCar.

Image courtesy Force India. 

Day Eleven: Red Bull

On the eleventh day of Christmas, Ben Sweeney gave to me… Red Bull

Red Bull were one of four teams on the grid not changing their driver line-up for the new season. Reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel was with Mark Webber for the fifth season running, and this time, their car was purple(ish). It was generally assumed that given the monumental regulation changes for 2014 and essentially no changes for 2013, teams wouldn’t sway a whole lot from their 2013 positions. This would suggest a Red Bull/Ferrari battle with McLaren throwing their hat in the ring.

At the first race in Australia, Red Bull were more dominant than could have been expected, with Vettel taking pole from team-mate Webber. However, the team’s dominance was eradicated in the race and Vettel dropped to third behind Raikkonen and Alonso, while Webber finished sixth at his home round.

In Malaysia, Vettel once again took pole position while Webber qualified fifth. During the race, despite a predictable poor start by Webber, he took the lead after the final round of pitstops. Vettel was right behind his team-mate and the team issued the multi-21 team-order which means that car 2 (Webber) stays ahead of car 1 (Vettel). The order was sent and so Webber turned his engine down, thinking Vettel would obey the order. On the contrary, Vettel attacked Webber, to the soundtrack of team-principal Christian Horner’s desperate cries of “this is silly, Seb, come on”. After several tense laps, Vettel got past his team-mate and won the race. The fallout was immense and would divide fans, particularly against Vettel who, as a result, would be booed at several of the remaining races.

Webber came back from the three week break with steel in his heart. The ho

stilities between the two team-mates were at an all-time high and Webber’s form was no less improved when his team under-fuelled the car and he was disqualified from Qualifying. While in the race, he collided with Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne and following a pit-stop, his wheel came loose at the hairpin, causing him to retire on the spot. Vettel, in the meantime, finished just shy of the podium when he crossed the line fourth.

The Bahrain Grand Prix marked Mark Webber’s 200th Grand Prix and he celebrated this milestone by qualifying fifth and then incurred a three-place penalty for the collision with Vergne in China, with team-mate Vettel lining up second on the grid. Vettel eventually won the race and Webber finished seventh. Vettel and Webber were third and eighth on the grid respectively, and finished fourth and fifth in Catalunya.

Although Red Bull had held a firm grasp on the Monaco Grand Prix in recent years (Webber winning ’10 and ’12, Vettel winning ’11), they failed to take the lead of the race from pole-man Nico Rosberg who went on to become the races eventual winner. They did, however, join him on the podium with Vettel second and Webber third. As if to make up for not winning in the principality, Vettel took victory from pole at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Webber qualified fifth, but failed to make the podium when he was hit by Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde mid-race. He went on to finish fourth.

Before the British Grand Prix, Webber announced that he was to leave the sport at the end of the season to head to the World Endurance Championship with Porsche. This, naturally, led to a scramble for the t0-be vacant seat at the World Champions, especially from the Toro Rosso ranks. It was at Silverstone, mere minutes from his home, that he made the announcement, and Webber was essentially a British citizen – adored by the fans at the race he won twice. As such, he was looking to win his second-home race. He qualified fourth behind Vettel, but after a bad start and contact with a swiping Romain Grosjean, he dropped to fifteenth. His front wing was also damaged, which further hurt his chances. Race-leader Hamilton dropped from the lead following a tyre delamination and Vettel inherited the lead. That was until a gearbox failure saw him creep to a stop, much to the delight of the crowd. Rosberg took the lead but Webber was charging. In the end, he finished 0.7 behind race-winner Rosberg, who had been losing a second per lap to Webber up to that point.

The next race was the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. It seemed like fate was in Webber’s favour as this was the track at which he took his first pole and first win in 2009, and was definitely one of his strongest tracks. On the other hand, Vettel had a home-race curse, having never won a race in Germany OR in July. Webber started third behind Vettel, but was faster than his team-mate as the race progressed. He seemed like a threat to Vettel, who now lead his home Grand Prix, until a convenient but unfortunate and uncharacteristic pit-mistake saw him drop from the race; released from his pitbox without his rear right tyre attached, the Pirelli flew clear of the RB9 and struck an FOM Cameraman, who, excluding some bruising, was otherwise okay. Vettel won the race. Vettel took second on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix while Webber started far down in tenth. Vettel dropped to third in the race while Webber progressed to fourth.

Coming back from the summer break, the Red Bulls lined up second and third on the grid; Vettel ahead of Webber. Vettel took the lead from Hamilton on the first lap when Hamilton made a mistake coming from Eau Rouge. He was untouchable while Webber, who dropped to sixth off the line, battled to fifth by the time the chequered flag flew. Vettel won the race.

Vettel took pole at the Italian Grand Prix, much to the dismay of the local tifosi. Webber joined him on the front row, but was pushed down the order by a fast-starting Felipe Massa. He was overtaken by Fernando Alonso in a stunning pass around the outside of turn 5, but Webber eventually finished third when Massa fell down the order. Vettel cruised to victory. He also took pole at the Singapore Grand Prix which proved to be a monotonous affair as he strolled to victory. Meanwhile, in the other car, Webber was losing his KERS and was then had his engine burst into flames, thus ending his race on the last lap. Post-race, Alonso stopped on-track to pick his friend up and carry him back to the race, prompting the stewards to give both men a reprimand. As it was Webber’s third reprimand, he was handed a ten-place penalty for the next race in Korea.

Penalty included, Webber started down in thirteenth. Vettel, yes, again, took pole and, yes, once again strolled to victory. Webber wasn’t as lucky as was t-boned by Force India’s Adrian Sutil in the middle stage of the race, causing his car to, again, burst into flames and cause his immediate retirement.

Webber, as if to make up for his recent bad luck, took an unexpected pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix. Vettel lined up second but eventually dropped behind his team-mate when his team decided to put him on an alternative strategy which, luckily for him, handed Vettel the victory, ahead of Webber who finished second. It was back-to-normal though as Vettel took pole and subsequent victory at the Indian Grand Prix. Webber, fittingly, retired with an alternator as his team-mate’s typically flawless car won him secured the World Championship for both driver and constructor.

Webber took pole in Abu Dhabi but was beaten off the line by Vettel who was again undefeatable and disappeared into the distance, leaving Webber to battle for second. Webber finished second while Vettel, predictably by now, won another race. In Austin, Vettel won again but Romain Grosjean separated him from Webber who finished third. The threat of rain gave hope that the almost eternally impregnable dominance by Vettel would be somewhat hampered in the unpredictable conditions, but as the race remained largely dry, he was free to cruise to victory for the thirteenth time of the 2013 season, while Webber, suitably, finished second to finish his career in the shadow of his team-mate.