Michael Schumacher’s family has imposed “strict rules” on visiting the F1 star, with only a few allowed to drop in and see the seven-time champion, according to a friend. Richard Hopkins, the former Head of Operations at Red Bull, regularly met Schumacher for coffee when the pair worked in the Fq paddock during the 1990s. 

Richard admitted there is an inner circle of trusted confidantes, with only “two, three, four people” having direct access to Schumacher. Schumacher’s family is keen to keep details around his medical condition private, so they limit who can spend time with the F1 icon. 

The German driver’s former Ferrari team boss, Jean Todt, and Ross Brawn are understood to be two individuals who are close to the family. 

Richard told SPORTBible: “I’m sure he’s not behind armed guards at his bedroom door. But there are fairly strict rules, and we don’t talk about those rules. I’m not going to try and visit Michael, because I know that’s not going to happen, and I’m one of thousands in that position of knowing it’s not possible.

“If you’re Jean Todt, your friendship is at the point where that’s okay. I don’t think there’s a written rule or a list of names. It’s just one of those known things.”

December 29 marks 12 years since Schumacher suffered a catastrophic ski accident while on holiday with his family. Schumacher crashed while skiing off-piste at the Méribel ski resort in the French Alps, hitting his head on a rock. 

Schumacher was quickly airlifted to hospital and underwent emergency surgery for a brain injury. He was placed into a medically induced coma but was woken up in 2014  and has been recovering at home since. 

Little information has emerged over Schumacher’s condition since the accident, with everyone close to the champion swearing to secrecy. 

But, Richard admits even those in the inner circle would be unlikely to reveal information under any circumstances out of respect for the F1 legend.

He said: “Even if you plied Ross with a lot of good red wine, I don’t think he would open up and share. I think there is that respect with anybody who goes to visit Michael, not to share anything.

“That’s the way the family wants it to be. I think that’s fair and respectful towards the family. Even if I did know, the family would be disappointed if I shared anyway.”