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F1 Legend Michael Schumacher Is 'Still Fighting' Says FIA President Jean Todt

Michael Schumacher Is 'Still Fighting' 22 Months After Ski Accident
Steven Hopkins
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Michael Schumacher is "still fighting" for his life, FIA president Jean Todt has said.

The F1 legend suffered severe brain damage after a ski accident in the French Alps, 22 months ago.

Todt was Schumacher's team boss at Ferrari and became friends with the seven-time world champion, who he still visits on a regular basis.

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Michael Schumacher is said to be 'still fighting' 22 months after a ski accident left him with severe brain damage

Schumacher was released from hospital to be cared for at his home in Lausanne 14 months ago, but since then little information has been released on his condition and recovery.

Speaking at a media briefing before this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, Todt revealed the latest on Schumacher's condition.

"I see Michael very often and Michael is still fighting," Todt is quoted as saying in the Mirror Online.

He added: "Michael is a close friend, his family is very close to me and I am very close to them as well. We must keep him fighting with the family."

Todt told those present that Schumacher accident shouldn't overshadow his achievements, which included winning a record 91 grand prix.

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He said: "It was interesting last week after Lewis [Hamilton] won the title for third time.

"You saw the figures [referring to Schumacher's seven championships]. I was very proud of what Michael achieved. Sometimes you tend to forget what he did."

Former Ferrari technical chief Ross Brawn said last week there was "still hope" for Schumacher.

Brawn told how he still visits his former teammate to see how he is doing, and said Schumacher's wife Corinna, also calls him with updates.

He said: "We just keep praying every day that he’ll recover to a stage where…it's slow, but there's always hope."

Michael Schumacher tributes
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Previews(01 of16)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 03: A message of support for former F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is seen along the armco on the main straight during previews for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 3, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Previews(02 of16)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 03: A message of support for former F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is seen along the armco on the main straight during previews for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 3, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Previews(03 of16)
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SAKHIR, BAHRAIN - APRIL 03: A message of support for former F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is seen along the armco on the main straight during previews for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on April 3, 2014 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix of Malaysia - Race(04 of16)
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 30: Fans show their support for Michael Schumacher in the paddock during the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit on March 30, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australian F1 Grand Prix - Practice(05 of16)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: The signature insignia of Michael Schumacher is seen on the visor of the drivers helmet of Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing as he prepares to drive during practice for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 14, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Australian F1 Grand Prix - Practice(06 of16)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: The signature insignia of Michael Schumacher is seen on the visor of the drivers helmet of Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing as he prepares to drive during practice for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 14, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-PRIX-AUS-F1(07 of16)
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain speeds out of the pits with a special tribute to Michael Schumacher written on the side during the first practice session at the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne on March 14, 2014. AFP PHOTO/William WEST IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Day 2 - Jerez, Spain(08 of16)
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A Ferrari pit board showing support for Michael Schumacher (GER).Formula One Testing, Day Two, Wednesday 29th January 2014. Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Preparations - Jerez, Spain(09 of16)
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Ferrari send their best wishes to Michael Schumacher (GER).Formula One Testing, Preparations, Monday 27th January 2014. Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
Motor Racing - Formula One Testing - Preparations - Jerez, Spain(10 of16)
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Ferrari send their best wishes to Michael Schumacher (GER).Formula One Testing, Preparations, Monday 27th January 2014. Jerez, Spain. (credit:PA)
F1 Testing in Jerez - Day One(11 of16)
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JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - JANUARY 28: Message of support for Michael Schumacher is seen on the new Mercedes W05 during day one of Formula One Winter Testing at the Circuito de Jerez on January 28, 2014 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUTO-F1-ESP-TEST-MERCEDES(12 of16)
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Mercedes AMG Petronas' British driver Lewis Hamilton drives the new Mercedes W05 displaying a message of support for seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher during the Formula One pre-season test days at Jerez racetrack in Jerez on January 28, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JORGE GUERRERO (Photo credit should read Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-AUTO-F1-SKIING-ACCIDENT-SCHUMACHER(13 of16)
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Young fans of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher hold a banner reading 'Happy Birthday Schumi' to mark his 45th birthday outside the Grenoble University Hospital Centre on January 3, 2014. Fans of Michael Schumacher gathered for a silent vigil for the Formula One legend's 45th birthday as he lay in a coma in a hospital in the Alpine city of Grenoble after a weekend skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-AUTO-F1-SKIING-ACCIDENT-SCHUMACHER(14 of16)
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Fans of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher hold flags of the Ferrari Formula One team as they stand in front of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre, to mark his 45th birthday, on January 3, 2014. Fans of Michael Schumacher gathered on January 3 for a silent vigil for the Formula One legend's 45th birthday as he lay in a coma in a French hospital after a weekend skiing accident. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(15 of16)
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GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Fans project a message reading '45 - Schumi Stay strong! Keep fighting!' on a wall of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(16 of16)
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GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Fans project a message reading '45 - Schumi Stay strong! Keep fighting!' on a wall of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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