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Riccardo Patrese, a former colleague of Michael Schumacher, has shared an update on the health of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. The legendary driver, who raced for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes, has been away from the public eye since a devastating skiing accident in 2013 left him critically injured.

Schumacher, born in Hurth, has been under the care of his wife, Corinna, and a dedicated team of healthcare professionals for over a decade following his accident in the French Alps where he hit his head on a rock. After being placed in a medically-induced coma for several months, Schumacher returned to his home by Lake Geneva.

His condition has remained largely private, with his close circle working diligently to protect his privacy. However, in response to recent news that Schumacher is no longer confined to his bed, Patrese offered some insight into the German's current state.

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Speaking to Hochge Pokert, he said: "I hope that it can be better every day for Michael because he's a good friend of mine. And I'm so sad that he's in this situation.

"I hope that he can improve. That's the hope of all his fans and me as a friend even more. I knew that six years ago, some better things were happening because there was a moment when everybody thought that he could be dead.

"And then, okay, he survived the accident. Then, I had this news, via a friend, that he was improving and improving. But I never met him after the accident.

"I never went there, so it's only talk that he could sit, watch and look around and make contact with his eyes. After the first improvements, I think my knowledge about his health was that he was in the situation that they described this week. He's in his own world, but he recognises people around him, familiar faces."

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Yet Patrese also suggested that Schumacher might not be aware he won seven F1 world championships following his accident. He added: "I am sure he does not know he is a seven-time world champion.

"I think from this point of view, of course, Michael is now living in the way that he is with a lot of effort from the family. I think in this kind of situation, it is a treasure for the person that they love.

"Even with the condition he is in, they like to have him and care for him and love him. He's still with us and we can only hope that he will get better.

"We are really hoping, every day he is doing a little bit more, a little bit more, a little bit more. I'm very happy to hear that Michael is improving but from what I know of this situation nothing has changed for some years."

Schumacher shares the record for most Formula 1 championships with Lewis Hamilton, claiming the title in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Ross Brawn, the former Ferrari technical director, is believed to be among the small number of people from the motorsport world who have visited Schumacher following his accident.