Michael Schumacher has condition mocked by F1 pundit 10 years on from accident

25 September 2023 , 12:03

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F1 legend Michael Schumacher suffered his life-changing skiing accident almost a decade ago (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A Spanish Formula 1 pundit faces calls from fans to resign after making a cruel joke about Michael Schumacher's health on live TV.

The seven-time world champion suffered a skiing accident almost 10 years ago, after which he was placed in a medically induced coma. He was later able to return home but receives round-the-clock care from his family and a team of medical staff.

He has been out of the public eye ever since, his wife Corinna fiercely protecting his privacy. As a result, few updates have been provided about his condition.

Now, Spanish F1 pundit Antonio Lobato is facing a backlash from fans after appearing to make a joke about Schumacher in a TV programme. A clip of the conversation he had with a colleague live on air after the Japanese Grand Prix has been shared widely on social media.

In it, the colleague says: "Let [Red Bull chief technical officer] Adrian Newey be shaking because Antonio Lobato is coming." And Lobato responded: "Let Michael be shaking! Well... not Michael, he cannot shake."

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The clip sparked outrage from fans. One replied to the clip: "Using someone’s medical condition as the punchline of a joke is unacceptable and abhorrent. Michael is beloved and respected in this sport and @alobatof1 doesn't deserve the platform he is given."

Another wrote: "Deplorable, @F1 should take note and action, how can somebody have the minimum thought of joking with Schumacher's condition? This guy should be banned."

It comes after a long-time friend of Schumacher in the F1 world said he is "without hope" of a recovery from the German racing hero. Asked if he could shed any light on Schumacher's condition and recovery, Swiss journalist Roger Benoit simply replied: "No.

"There is only one answer to this question and that is what his son Mick gave in one of his rare interviews in 2022, 'I would give anything to talk to dad.' This sentence says everything about how his father has been doing for over 3500 days. A case without hope."

And Schumacher's former team-mate Johnny Herbert recently said: "There's never any news. What we do know is we never hear any positive news. That's the horrible thought that he is still not able to be close to the Michael that we all remember. And that is very sad."

Daniel Moxon