Michael Schumacher visits Todt “at least twice a month”

Ewan Gale

Saturday, May 29, 2021 3:44 p.m. – Updated: 3:48 p.m.

FIA President Jean Todt has announced that he will continue to visit seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher “twice a month”.

Former Ferrari team boss Todt was the German’s partner during Schumacher’s dominant period between 2000 and 2004 when he won five titles in a row.

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Schumacher retired from the sport in 2012 and suffered life-threatening injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013.

Todt, who will step down as FIA president at the end of his tenure this year, highlighted the brain and spinal cord research that he and Schumacher have invested in as part of his legacy in that role.

“I am not missing any obligations: road safety for the United Nations, President of the Aung San Suu Kyi Foundation and then the International Peace Institute. I am on the boards of banks, cinemas and hotels, “he told Corriere della Sera.

“I am proud to have created the Brain and Spinal Cord Research Institute to which Michael Schumacher contributed

“I see Michael at least twice a month. I don’t leave him alone. He, Corinna, the family: We have had a lot of experiences together. The beauty of what we’ve lived is part of us and goes on. ”

Todt, of course, keeps an eye on Schumacher’s son Mick, who is in his first F1 season with Haas.

The Frenchman added that Mick was “humble and polite”. and that “his ambitions are limited for the time being by an uncompetitive car”.

Todt highlights Hamilton’s diversity goals

Todt compared the world champion Lewis Hamilton did to promote diversity to the image of American Olympic sprinter Lee Evans, who co-founded the Olympic human rights project and was a leading figure in the Black Power movement.

“Fifty years ago Lee Evans took part in the Olympics,” added Todt.

“”[Hamilton] is a champion, he knows, and he sends messages. That’s okay with me as long as it’s not politics.

“We work hard to have advocates of all nationalities. We are committed to gender equality. There are already many women in leadership positions in the FIA. But certain processes take time.”