F1: Bianchi out of coma, but Schumacher wheelchair-bound
News of stricken drivers' conditions emerges ahead of season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend
As the F1 season approaches a climax in Abu Dhabi this weekend, news of two of its stricken stars has emerged, with updates on the condition of hospitalised driver Jules Bianchi and recovering F1 legend Michael Schumacher.
Jules Bianchi out of a coma
The 25-year-old Marussia driver who suffered serious head injuries when he collided with a recovery vehicle at the Japaense Grand Prix in October is no longer in an artificial coma and is breathing unaided, his parents have revealed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He has also left hospital in Japan and is now being cared for in Nice. But, as the BBC notes, "his condition is still 'critical' and he remains unconscious".
In a statement the Frenchman's parents said: "Following a challenging period of neurological intensive care, we are able to announce Jules has made an important step. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.
"Jules's neurological condition remains stable. Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France."
They thanked medical teams who cared for Bianchi after the crash, which left him with a diffuse axonal injury – a series of lesions affecting his brain tissue.
Michael Schumacher in wheelchair
There was also news of seven-time world champion Schumacher, who was in a coma for several months after a skiing accident in the French Alps in December. He was initially treated in Grenoble, before being transferred to a hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland. In September he returned to his home near Lake Geneva, which has reportedly been redeveloped to cater for his convalescence.
The update on his condition comes from a friend of the family, former racing driver Philippe Streiff, who himself was left in a wheelchair after a crash in 1989.
Strieff said, after visiting Schumacher: "He is getting better but everything is relative. It's very difficult. He can't speak. Like me, he is in a wheelchair paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems.
"The fact that he's in his family will perhaps enable him to recover more quickly, but it's difficult. It appears that he communicates with his eyes, with his wife and press officer."
Official news on Schumacher's condition has been "scant", says the Daily Telegraph. But it adds: "With an accumulated wealth estimated to be well over half-a-billion pounds, Schumacher's family is well placed to provide the limitless care that will be needed in the coming years. This will include physiotherapists, to massage his atrophying joints, doctors, nutritionists, nurses and neurological experts."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
F1 history in the making: Lewis Hamilton has Michael Schumacher in his sights
Speed Read British driver is just one race win away from equalling the all-time record
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: Michael Schumacher is hailed for his part in Mercedes’s success
Speed Read Teams and fans pay tribute to the seven-time champion on his 51st birthday
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1: Lewis Hamilton overtakes Michael Schumacher as highest-paid driver in history
Speed Read Mercedes star has earned nearly $500m from his Formula 1 career since 2007
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1: Mick Schumacher ‘honoured’ to be compared to his father Michael
Speed Read Teenager is preparing to make his Formula 2 debut for Prema Racing
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1: Vettel a ‘one-trick pony’ and Hamilton ‘not in same league’ as Schumacher
Speed Read Eddie Irvine has his say on F1’s top drivers and Sky Sports will broadcast pre-season testing live from Barcelona
By The Week Staff Published
-
Michael Schumacher’s family release rare health update
Speed Read The Formula 1 legend, who turns 50 tomorrow, is receiving medical care at the family home near Lake Geneva
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1: Ferrari will mark Michael Schumacher’s 50th birthday with museum exhibition
Speed Read German won five successive world championships with the Prancing Horse
By The Week Staff Published
-
92 race wins and counting: Lewis Hamilton overtakes Michael Schumacher
In Depth F1’s best ever driver debate revs up after Briton’s record-breaking victory in Portugal
By Mike Starling Last updated