I was banned from visiting Michael Schumacher – his family told me I would be sad if I saw him, says F1 rival

MICHAEL Schumacher’s ex-Ferrari rival Rubens Barrichello revealed the time he was denied a visit to the F1 legend after his fateful accident.

December 29 marked a full decade since the seven-time world champion crashed while skiing in Meribel, France, later staying 250 days in a medically-induced coma.

ReutersRubens Barrichello, left, was once denied a visit to Michael Schumacher after his skiing accident[/caption]

EPAThe pair raced together at Ferrari between 2000 and 2005[/caption]

Speaking to Flow Podcast in his native Brazil, Barrichello said he tried visiting his former teammate after his accident, but was declined after getting a call from Schuey’s team.

“With Schumacher, I called once and said I wanted to visit him,” he revealed.

“They told me that unfortunately I wouldn’t be helping and that I might be sad.

“So I understood that at that moment it was not the time to enter [his life].

“I’ve met his family another thousand times and I always give them all my love.”

Barrichello and Schumacher had a complex and significant relationship when racing at Ferrari from 2000 to 2005.

Schumacher, a seven-time World Champion, was the team’s leading driver, while Barrichello, a talented Brazilian driver, was known for playing a supporting role within the Scuderia.

Their rivalry was notable for instances where team orders were imposed by Ferrari, favoring Schumacher over Barrichello.

This led to several controversial moments in Formula One, including instances where Barrichello had to cede positions to Schumacher, particularly in races where Barrichello was seemingly faster.

Barrichello, however, appeared to tear up when remembering the time he led a prayer for Schuey before his son questioned him about the pair’s rivalry at Ferrari.

“I was in California for New Year’s,” Barrichello recalled.

“It was midnight and it was just the four of us [with his wife and children].

“And it was that thing we have in Brazil, it’s midnight on New Year’s Eve, let’s be together.

“And then I said ‘I would like to lead an Our Father prayer for Schumacher.’

“But my son Dudu turned to me and asked ‘Why? He never did you any good.’

“That was the moment I had to explain to him that a lot of what he heard was not coming from his father, but just toxic gossip [about their rivalry].”

After his tragic ski accident, it’s understood that Schumacher’s friendship group has been trimmed down as his family continue to keep his health a secret and his inner circle small.

Since 2013, his wife Corinna has been creating a private world around Michael as he continues his recovery – including forming a tight knit group of people allowed to see the great man and those who can’t.

Corinna has cut out certain people for a plethora or reasons including keeping the families privacy a priority and for the sake of Schuey.

Michael’s wife – who he described as his “guardian angel” – has done her best to keep their life private including reportedly slimming down his £500m business empire and selling prized assets such as his private jet and Norwegian home.

She has even converted part of their £50million home into a hospital where 15 doctors and a team of masseurs give him 24-hour care and the surrounding forest and security fences kept him away from anyone not welcome.

The fellow ex-Ferrari driver and teammate Felipe Massa was one of the few lucky ones to have visited Schumacher after his accident in Meribel.

“I saw him,” Massa told Brazilian podcast Fala Galvao.

“But I think we always have to respect Corinna’s decision.”

When asked if Schumacher’s situation was in any way reversible, Massa replied: “I think if there was something [positive/ a solution], we would have known by now.”

But the Brazilian star remains hopeful and says he constantly prays for his friend’s full recovery.

“But I’m always cheering and praying that maybe one day he’ll be back here, watching [Formula 1] or entering a race track, which is where I’ve always been with him.”

AFPDespite a fierce rivalry as teammates, Barrichello and Schuey had a friendly relationship off the racetrack[/caption]

APBarrichello spoke to Brazilian podcasts about his friendship with the German racing legend[/caption]