Michael Schumacher still visited by Jean Todt "at least twice-a-month"

Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher still visited by Todt "at least twice-a-month"

Todt was Schuamcher's team principal during Ferrari's golden years in the early 2000s

Ewan Gale

Saturday 29 May 2021 16:44 Updated: 16:48

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FIA president Jean Todt has revealed he continues to visit seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher "twice a month".

Former Ferrari team principal Todt partnered the German throughout Schumacher's dominant period between 2000 and 2004 when he won five successive titles.

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

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

“I don't lack commitments: road safety for the UN, president of the Aung San Suu Kyi foundation, and then the International Peace Institute. I am on the boards of banks, cinemas, 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'm not leaving him alone. Him, Corinna, the family: we have had many experiences together. The beauty of what we have lived is part of us and goes on ”

Todt, naturally, keeps an eye on Schumacher's son Mick who is in his debut F1 season with Haas.

The Frenchman added Mick is "humble and polite." and that "for now, his ambitions are limited by a non-competitive car".

Todt highlights Hamilton's diversity goals

Todt likened the work world champion Lewis Hamilton has done to promote diversity to the image of American Olympic sprinter Lee Evans, who co-founded the Olympic Project for Human Rights and was a leading figure of the Black Power Movement.

“Fifty years ago Lee Evans was punching in the Olympics," Todt added. "Now make a gesture and the world sees it in a second on social media.

"[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 champions of all nationalities, we push for gender equality - there are already many women in the FIA leadership posts - but certain processes take time."