Former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel is known to have idolised his compatriot Michael Schumacher as a kid.
The duo shared a special bond when Vettel entered the sport and in many ways, the 36-year-old owes a lot to Schumacher.
On the 10th anniversary of Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident, Vettel penned an emotional letter detailing the physical condition of his mentor.
Schumacher is yet to make a public appearance since his near-fatal accident, with his family taking care of him in their residence in Geneva.
“It’s still very, very difficult to, I don’t want to say accept, but to accept that he keeps fighting and he’s not doing well. Of course I wish him only the best. It is still a topic very often and I think about it sometimes in silence and sometimes a lot,” Vettel said.
“The first thoughts were of course at the last conversation we had together,” Vettel continued.
“I told him that I was going to be a father and what was coming for us. I just miss my friend.
“He would have been so important in recent years. I would have had so many questions and he certainly could have provided so many answers or inspiration.”
Schumacher has gone through a number of surgeries ever since his accident and although updates on his health have been scarce, few have been promising.
As things stand, it is believed that Schumacher gets driven in a Mercedes AMG car to stimulate his brain with familiar sounds.
He receives 24-hour assistance at his residence, with a private infirmary located in his former office. A total of fifteen doctors and their assistants all work tirelessly to ensure the best care is given to Schumacher.