A decade since Michael Schumacher's severe accident

(Patria) - Exactly a decade ago, Michael Schumacher suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident in France.

The ominous silence and his family's insistence on keeping details about the health status of the Formula 1 legend largely unknown – testify to the extent to which his life has changed.

For over nine years, the legendary German, a record holder with seven F1 titles, has been staying at the Schumacher family home near Lake Geneva.

His manager and wife have stated publicly on several occasions that his health condition is slowly improving.

Numerous self-proclaimed "insiders" have released information over the years: that Schumacher's movement is limited, that he cannot speak or feed himself.

His family has denied all of this, filing numerous lawsuits against the media, primarily in Germany.

A close friend of Schumacher's, Jean Todt, former head of F1, has stated in the past that "Schumacher has changed since the accident", that he enjoys spending time with him, and that his family provides him with all the necessary attention and care.

His son Mick, a former F1 driver, said in recent weeks that his father's accident changed his outlook on life and that he approaches all days differently, appreciating time with his loved ones and all the opportunities he is given.

During his career, Michael Schumacher achieved as many as 91 victories in 307 race appearances.

He dominated as a Ferrari driver from 2000 to 2004, and previously won two titles with Benetton.

He ended his career with the Mercedes team in 2012, for whom he achieved one podium finish in his later driving days and heralded the rise of that powerful team's era.

He remains celebrated as a great humanitarian, a champion completely devoted to his family – and that image significantly transcends the controversies that accompanied him in races, in the earlier phase of his career (he intentionally caused accidents twice in the final races of the season in duels with direct rivals).

In the world of top global sports, Schumacher is synonymous with excellence, dedication, and consistency, the dominance of a very unique character in an era of the "fastest circus" much more exciting than the current one.