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F1 Autocrat Bernie Ecclestone Once Emotionally Expressed His Heartache at Michael Schumacher Fighting for His Life

Published 01/03/2023, 12:05 PM EST

Bernie Ecclestone isn’t arguably the most loved character, past or present, of the F1 paddock. Mainly it boils down to the shrewd way he ran the sport during his reign, his outrageous ideas for the sport, and the controversial and sometimes borderline-insensitive comments he’s made. That being said, behind the stone-cold facade he’s had to pull to run F1, lies an emotional man. As human as any of us. And this story about Michael Schumacher may finally turn you onto the man.

In December 2013, the 7x Champion suffered horrific brain injuries in a skiing mishap while he was on vacation with his family. Subsequently, the German Weltmeister is still far from recovered and is reported to be confined to his bed. Today, which marks his 54th birthday, it is only fair to share the story of Bernie Ecclestone and Schumacher.

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In an interview with F1 Racing magazine in 2015 , he explained why he has decided to not meet the stricken Schumacher. He said, “I don’t want to see Michael like that. I remember Michael as he was. That is how I want to see Michael. If he comes back, that is how I want Michael to be.”

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Well, this was probably the first time that Ecclestone had actually shown his human side to the world. What did Michael Schumacher really mean so much to British business magnate?

The truth behind Michael Schumacher and Bernie Ecclestone’s relationship

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When you pit the two contrasting characters of Michael Schumacher and Bernie Ecclestone together, the equation doesn’t exactly spell ‘friends’. That being said, they had this innate ruthlessness when it came to the sport. But what was their relationship really like?

According to Motorsport.com, back in 2014, “Germany’s Bild newspaper said the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver and Ecclestone, 83, have never been close friends, but they have known each other well for more than two decades. The report said Schumacher was among a chosen few who often played backgammon at Grands Prix in Ecclestone’s familiar motor home.”

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WATCH THIS STORY: Jeff Gordon’s throwback moment from the 90s

Today marks Michael Schumacher’s 54th birthday. And if we know anything about the man, it is that he never stops fighting. So, keep fighting Michael, and we hope to see you in good health soon!

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Written by:

Anirban Aly Mandal is a Formula 1 Author at EssentiallySports. In his pursuit for a Bachelor's degree in Law from Symbiosis Law School, he has written multiple academic papers centered around the domain of motorsports. Not only that, but due to his love for F1, he aims to work as a legal advisor in the most prestigious racing series in the world some day.

Edited by:

Ranvijay Singh

F1 Autocrat Bernie Ecclestone Once Emotionally Expressed His Heartache at Michael Schumacher Fighting for His Life

The truth behind Michael Schumacher and Bernie Ecclestone’s relationship

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