Michael Schumacher health update as tearful wife…

Michael Schumacher health update as tearful wife admits F1 legend 'is different now'

Michael Schumacher's wife Corinna broke down in tears last month while accepting a prestigious award in Germany on his behalf.

The racing legend, who is widely regarded as the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, won seven world championships. He began his F1 career with Irish team Jordan and went on to drive for Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes across two spells in the sport.

But just a year after retiring for a second time, he was involved in a horror skiing accident in December 2013 and was put in a medically induced coma. He has since regained consciousness and is living at his home in Switzerland, where he is said to be continuing his rehabilitation.

While his family have mostly kept details of his condition private, Corinna has admitted that Schumacher is "different" following the accident.

She broke down in tears while attending an emotional ceremony on July 20, where Schumacher was awarded the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia.

COLOGNE, GERMANY - JULY 20: Corinna Schumacher, wife of former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher and her daughter Gina Schumacher react at the awarding of the North Rhine-Westpfalia State Prize to Michael Schumacher (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Corinna and daughter Gina-Maria accepted the award on Schumacher's behalf. His son Mick, who is currently competing in F1 with Haas, was absent due to illness, Mirror UK reports.

The prestigious prize was awarded to Schumacher in recognition of his achievements, with Corinna left in tears on stage.

COLOGNE, GERMANY - JULY 20: Corinna Schumacher, wife of former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher and her daughter Gina Schumacher with Jean Todt react at the awarding of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Prize to Michael Schumacher (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

"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," she said previously.

"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," she told Netflix documentary Schumacher.

In handing out the award North-Rhine-Westphalia state premier Henrik Wust hailed the contribution that Schumacher had made. He paid tribute to the former racing driver for his work both on and off track.

“In Michael Schumacher we are honouring a man today who not only stands out for his sporting achievements. But above all, we pay tribute to Michael Schumacher beyond racing and the spotlight. [He] has a big heart and for whom it was important to think about others," Wust said.

Corrina was joined at Cologne's Motorworld, where the Schumacher family's private collection of F1 cars and memorabilia is housed, by his former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt. And the Frenchman paid his own tribute to his close friend.

“That’s just natural. No one planned it to be so emotional that tears were shed by Corinna, but sometimes it’s good to not always control yourself. I don’t miss Michael. I can see him. But of course, what I miss is what we used to do together,” Todt said when asked about Corinna's tears.

Schumacher's son Mick is currently 15th in the championship standings, just a place behind family friend Sebastian Vettel who announced his retirement last week.