As the 12th anniversary of Michael Schumacher's life-changing skiing accident approaches, the status of his health remains closely-guarded by his family. The Formula One icon hit his head on a rock while skiing in the French Alps in December 2013 and suffered severe head trauma as a result. The seven-time world champion was placed in a medically induced coma for some time before allowed to return to his Lake Geneva home.

It is believed the head trauma suffered in the incident has left Schumacher requiring round-the-clock care in what is understood to be a home-based hospital facility. It's believed that the German's injuries have also left him unable to communicate verbally. Earlier this year Schumacher was able to sign his initials 'MS' on a helmet auctioned by F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart, with wife Corrina's hand able to guide the German's own.

Despite the staunch privacy that surrounds the family and Schumacher's health specifically, tidbits of information have been released regarding the 56-year-old's condition. According to Elisabetta Gregoraci, ex-wife of former Benetton boss Flavio Briatore, the racing icon can communicate with his eyes.

Speaking to Spanish media in 2020, she said: "Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him, and I know who they are. They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house." The seclusion of the family also extends to the number of people allowed to visit him, with only nine individuals given that privilege, according to the Daily Mail.

Richard Hopkins, who was previously Head of Operations at Red Bull, was someone who struck up a friendship with Schumacher in the paddock. During his conversation with SPORTbible via Metaspins sport, the racing figure shared details on the visiting rules set by Corinna.

"I think it's fairly clear," Hopkins said. "There are only two, three, four people that we know of. There are probably others. Michael had friendships with people who weren't owners of Formula One teams or racing drivers, so I'm sure there are people who probably see him that we just don't know about, because we don't know their names."

"But there are fairly strict rules, and we don't talk about those rules. I'm not going to try and visit Michael, because I know that's not going to happen, and I'm one of thousands in that position of knowing it's not possible. If you're Jean Todt, your friendship is at the point where that's okay. I don't think there's a written rule or a list of names. It's just one of those known things."

Among those included in Schumacher's inner circle is his wife, their children Mick and Gina-Maria Schumacher and long-time manager Sabine Kehm. From his close friendships sparked in F1 are said to be Ross Brawn, Jean Todt, Gerhard Berger, Luca Badoer and Felipe Massa.