Schumacher visited 'regularly' by former Ferrari team-mate

Former Ferrari driver Luca Badoer says he is afforded "regular" visits to see Michael Schumacher as his legendary former team-mate continues to recover from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident in 2013. Badoer served as a reserve driver at the Scuderia through a large portion of Schumacher's time at the team.

Updates about Schumacher's condition have been few and far between since he suffered severe head injuries almost four and a half years ago.

He was relocated to his home in September 2014, but little is known of his mobility or ability to speak communicate with people.

However, Badoer has confirmed that he regularly spends time with the seven-time world champion - the most decorated grand prix driver of all time.

"I visit him regularly," Badoer is quoted by Diario Motori. "But the family wants to maintain a sort of secrecy about this and I respect their will.

"They do all this for the good of Michael. I do not even want to talk about this, because I've never talked about it, just because the family does not want to.

"The visits to him are really granted to a few people, at the behest of [Schumacher's wife] Corinna.

"I respect their wishes, and there is no need to make controversy."

Badoer's revelations about his time with the F1 legend come after Schumacher's long-time Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello revealed he had been blocked from making similar visits.

"I tried to find a way to visit him, but they said to me: 'It will not do you or him any good'," Barrichello told Brazilian TV network Globo.

"So I don't have any news."