Michael Schumacher postponed his Formula One career following a devastating skiing accident in 2013,
and the legendary driver hasn't appeared in public since. He has addressed fans via his family, with his wife Corinna providing
the most frequent updates. She recently spoke about her husband as she accepted an award on his behalf,
telling attendees what the legendary driver is like now.
Mrs Schumacher accepted the prestigious State Prize of North-Rhine-Westphalia last week -
which recognised the driver's trailblazing career - and gave fans a tearful update.
She said: "I miss Michael every day. But it's not just me who misses him. It's the children, the family,
his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here.
"Different, but he's here and that gives us strength, I find. We try to carry on a family as Michael liked
it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives. 'Private is private', as he always said.
"It is very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible.
Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael.
Schumacher is still alive because of his wife, according to Ferrari team boss turned FIA chief Jean Todt.
She succeeded in keeping him from death while shouldering significant responsibility, he said.
He told Bild: "I've spent a lot of time with Corinna since Michael had his serious skiing accident on December 29, 2013.
She is a great woman and runs the family.
"She hadn't expected that. It happened suddenly and she had no choice. But she does it very well. I trust her, she trusts me.
"Thanks to the work of his doctors and the cooperation of Corinna,
"And right now you are fighting the consequences. We hope that things will slowly but surely improve."