December 30 post-press-conference update:
Michael Schumacher’s condition remains critical, and he remains in intensive care in a medically induced coma. However, yesterday, December 30, following an MRI scan, doctors noted some signs of improvement and decided, after lengthy consultation between the medical team and his family, to perform a second operation to reduce intracranial pressure.
Late at night (around 10:00 pm), a two-hour surgical procedure was performed to evacuate the hematoma on the left side. Following the procedure, a new scan was carried out, showing an effective reduction in pressure.
Doctors stated that this can be considered a slight improvement compared to how the situation was evolving in the initial hours; nevertheless, Schumi’s condition remains critical as he faces a very serious and uncertain situation.
According to the medical team, this procedure has bought valuable time in a situation subject to very rapid changes.
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News from the hospital in Grenoble, where 7-time Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is hospitalized in intensive care, is certainly grim.
A bad fall on skis, a blow to the head, and now the great Schumi is fighting for his life.
He was skiing off-piste on the snows of Méribel in the vast French ski area known as Les 3 Vallées—one of the most famous ski resorts in Europe and one of the most popular both for its 600 km skiable domain and for its abundant snow, ideal for freeriding.
It was precisely off-piste that Schumi fell—and not on a groomed run as initially rumored—a fall that might have been harmless had he not struck a rock, causing severe head trauma.
Rushed to the hospital, his condition deteriorated rapidly and he underwent delicate neurosurgery later that day.
The German champion is now in a medically induced coma, with no further surgeries planned for the moment.
By his side are his family as well as companions from throughout his illustrious sporting career, including Jean Todt, Ross Brawn (both former Ferrari team principals), and Professor Gérard Saillant (the doctor who treated him after his Silverstone crash).
An outpouring of support has arrived from across the sporting world, with messages of solidarity from current Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Alonso, former racing colleagues such as Vettel and Button, other sports figures like Valentino Rossi and Del Piero, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Support and countless well-wishes are also pouring in from fans on Twitter using the hashtag #Schumi
Helmet prevented instant death
Despite the severe injury to Schumacher, doctors state that his helmet played a crucial role in the accident: it cushioned the impact against the rock and enabled the German driver to reach the hospital alive. “Without a helmet he would have died on the spot”, doctors stated.
Skiing, a great passion for Schumi
Alongside motor racing, Schumi has always loved skiing. He frequented many Alpine ski resorts, including Italy’s own Madonna di Campiglio, where the Ferrari team’s winter retreat is held every year.
His presence in Campiglio during the winter was such a fixture that the famous ski resort named the final steep pitch of the Spinale slope after him: the “Schumacher Streif”.
Our very best wishes for a full recovery go out to him—Forza Schumi!
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