A close friend of Michael Schumacher has shared a previously unseen photograph of the Formula 1 legend on Instagram.
Dudu Sartor posted the image showing himself alongside Schumacher, former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa and other friends.
The photo was accompanied by a heartfelt caption reading: “Just to kill the longing!! We’re together, little brother,” with both Massa and Schumacher’s accounts tagged in the post.
The rare image emerged just one day after the Schumacher family issued a statement regarding a recent breach of trust following a blackmail case.
Michael Schumacher’s family were recently the victims of a vile blackmail plot
PA
No photographs of Schumacher have been made public since his skiing accident.
The Schumacher family is appealing against what they consider a lenient sentence after the schemers threatened to release private details on the 56-year-old, including digitalised medical records.
A representative for Michael’s wife Corinna stated: “We have appealed against what we consider to be the far too lenient sentence for Mr F.”
“In my opinion, he was the mastermind behind this. What still shocks me most is the massive breach of trust,” the statement continued.
A close friend of Michael Schumacher has shared a previously unseen photograph of the Formula 1 legend on Instagram
The family’s representative emphasised the need for stronger deterrence, adding: “He should receive a punishment that deters any potential copycats.”
The blackmail plot involved three men who were arrested in Germany, accused of demanding £12.5 million for intimate medical files.
Former security guard Markus Fritsche was allegedly the mastermind behind the scheme.
One of the suspects, identified as Yilmaz.T, was accused of sending files to other suspects and received a suspended sentence.
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The case involved threats to release intimate medical images, videos and records relating to the seven-time Formula 1 champion.
The breach came despite the Schumacher family’s longstanding efforts to maintain privacy around Michael’s condition.
Schumacher, according to reports in Germany, made his first public appearance in eleven years at his daughter Gina-Maria’s wedding in Mallorca back in December.
The F1 icon attended the ceremony where his daughter married Iain Bethke.
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Strict privacy measures were in place at the event, with guests required to follow specific rules regarding mobile phones and cameras.
All photography equipment had to be put away during the celebrations to maintain the family’s privacy.
This appearance marked a rare public sighting of Schumacher, who has been kept from the public eye since his accident.
The German is widely regarded as one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers, with a record seven championships to his name.
During his illustrious career, he competed for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes, securing 91 wins, 68 pole positions and 77 fastest laps.
Michael Schumacher hasn’t been seen in public since a tragic skiing accident back in 2013GETTY
The racing icon retired in 2012, but tragedy struck just a year later in the French Alps.
Schumacher suffered a life-altering skiing accident and was airlifted to hospital, where he was placed in a medically-induced coma.
His ski helmet is credited with saving his life during the incident.
He was brought out of the coma in June 2014, with his family maintaining strict privacy since.