Jean Todt called for the privacy around the condition of Michael Schumacher to be respected as he reflected on the "consequences" of the skiing accident which left him needing round-the-clock care.
Almost a decade has passed since the Formula 1 legend suffered that accident, while skiing off-piste in France. He was placed into a medically induced coma shortly afterwards before being transported to the family home on Lake Geneva in September 2014.
Since then, he has been cared for by his doting wife Corinna and a team of medical professionals. Updates on his condition have been few and far between, with the Schumacher family only trusting their inner circle with details.
One of those with access is Todt, the former FIA president who also was in charge of the Ferrari team with whom Schumacher enjoyed his most successful years in racing. He regularly visits his old friend and was on guard when questioned on the subject in an interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera.
He said: "Let's leave him alone. We respect the privacy wishes of Corinna and her children, although we know of course that the accident had consequences. But anyone who says he knows something, knows nothing. I always go to see him. He and his family are my family."
Schumacher remains, in the eyes of many, the greatest driver in F1 history and his record of seven world titles is matched only by Lewis Hamilton. The last five of his championship successes came racing for Ferrari between 2000 and 2004, while Todt was in charge of the Scuderia.
Before he joined the famous Italian team, he had raced for Benetton having been given his F1 debut in 1991 by Eddie Jordan. The former team boss recently opened up on the toll 10 years of caring for Schumacher has taken on his wife Corinna, who married the racer in 1995.
Jordan said: "This was the most horrific situation for [son] Mick and Corinna. It's been nearly ten years now and Corinna has not been able to go to a party, to lunch or this or that. She's like a prisoner because everyone would want to talk to her about Michael when she doesn't need reminding of it every minute."
Accepting the State Prize of North-Rhine-Westphalia on her husband's behalf last year, an emotional Corinna 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."
