Jean Todt remains one of the very few people able to speak about Michael Schumacher from a direct personal relationship rather than through speculation. The former Ferrari team principal continues to respect the strict privacy maintained by Michael Schumacher’s family since the 2013 skiing accident, avoiding any discussion of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s medical condition. However, Jean Todt has offered a rare comment about Michael Schumacher today, saying: “He is no longer the same Michael we knew, but he is still here.”
Jean Todt explained that their relationship continues, simply in a different form, with the same friendship and the same closeness to Michael Schumacher and his family. Their bond was forged during one of the most successful periods in Ferrari history, when Michael Schumacher became one of the defining figures of the Scuderia’s modern era. ScuderiaFans has previously looked back at that legacy in its tribute to Michael Schumacher.
Jean Todt reveals what Michael Schumacher was doing before the accident
Jean Todt also returned to December 29, 2013, the day of Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident in Méribel, and described a detail that did not appear in the official reconstruction released at the time.
Speaking on the En Toute Liberté podcast, Jean Todt said: “Michael was not looking ahead, he was watching his son, who was with a friend. Then he slipped on a rock and hit his head against another rock.”
The son Jean Todt was referring to was Mick Schumacher, who was in Méribel with Michael Schumacher that day.
The distinction is important because this specific detail comes from Jean Todt rather than from the official investigation into the accident. In January 2014, French investigators also examined footage from the camera mounted on Michael Schumacher’s helmet and reconstructed that Michael Schumacher was approximately eight metres off-piste, travelling at a speed consistent with that of an experienced skier, when one ski struck a rock and Michael Schumacher fell forwards, hitting his head on another rock.
Speed, the skis and the piste signage were ruled out as determining causes. However, the publicly released reconstruction did not include any reference to Michael Schumacher looking towards Mick Schumacher at that moment.
Corinna Schumacher’s phone call and Jean Todt’s immediate trip to Grenoble
Jean Todt also recalled how he first learned about the accident. Jean Todt had just arrived in Bali with his wife for a holiday when Corinna Schumacher called to tell him that Michael Schumacher had been injured and was being transported by helicopter to Grenoble.
Jean Todt’s first call was to Professor Gerard Saillant, with whom Jean Todt had helped establish the Institut du Cerveau in Paris. Jean Todt then travelled to Grenoble the following day.
Jean Todt remains close to Michael Schumacher and his family
Nearly thirteen years have passed since the accident. Michael Schumacher has not appeared publicly since then, while the family has continued to protect Michael Schumacher’s privacy extremely carefully. Jean Todt has remained part of the very small circle of people able to visit the former Formula 1 driver.
That is also why Jean Todt’s comments carry particular significance compared with the many rumours that have surrounded Michael Schumacher over the years. Jean Todt does not provide a medical update and does not describe what Michael Schumacher can or cannot do today. Instead, Jean Todt limits himself to speaking as a friend.
“We live differently, but with the same affection and the same friendship for him and for the family,” Jean Todt said.
The Schumacher family’s approach to privacy has remained consistent for years, including in the way Michael Schumacher’s story has been presented publicly. That personal perspective was also central to the Michael Schumacher documentary, which featured rare contributions from those closest to the seven-time Formula 1 world champion.
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