Flavio Briatore Rules Out Visiting Michael Schumacher
In a recent interview with RTL, Flavio Briatore, the former Benetton team boss and current executive advisor at Alpine, revealed that he has no interest in visiting his old friend and colleague, Michael Schumacher. The two men enjoyed a successful partnership in the mid-1990s, winning their first world championships in 1994 and 1995.
According to NextGen-Auto.com, Briatore and Schumacher have a long and storied history in Formula 1. After their successful stint at Benetton, Schumacher moved on to Ferrari, where he won five more world titles. However, their personal and professional relationship appears to have soured in recent years, with Briatore stating that he has not visited Schumacher since his severe brain damage in a late 2013 skiing accident.
The 75-year-old Briatore insists that he will not be asking Michael’s wife Corinna if he can join the very small group of people who have been allowed to visit the seven-time world champion in his current physical state. "I want to remember Michael as he was – full of energy and strength," NextGen-Auto.com quotes Briatore as saying. "He wouldn’t want me to remember him the way he is now."
Briatore’s decision not to visit Schumacher has been met with understanding, given the sensitive nature of the situation. The Italian still has great affection for Schumacher, stating that "Michael and his family were a big part of the success, including my personal success." NextGen-Auto.com reports that Briatore has fond memories of their time together, saying "I want to keep those moments – they were amazing. Corinna is an incredible woman. She’s very courageous. She did a great job to keep the family together."
The pair last saw each other at a boxing event in Germany, a few months before Schumacher’s accident. Briatore reflected on their last meeting, saying "We last saw each other at a boxing event in Germany, a few months before his terrible skiing accident." NextGen-Auto.com notes that Briatore’s comments have sparked a renewed debate about the private lives of Formula 1’s top personalities.
In conclusion, Flavio Briatore’s decision not to visit Michael Schumacher serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of personal relationships in the high-pressure world of Formula 1. As reported by NextGen-Auto.com, Briatore’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the private lives of two of the sport’s most iconic figures.
