When Corinna Schumacher accepts the award, she can no longer hold back her tears
“Michael Schumacher was always a very positive and structured man”
In an interview with WELT, former Formula 1 racing driver Jochen Mass talks about the award given to Formula 1 record world champion Michael Schuhmacher.
In his absence, Michael Schumacher was awarded the State Prize of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst appreciates the commitment of the Formula 1 icon, Corinna Schumacher fights with her emotions.
MPrime Minister Hendrik Wüst highlighted Michael Schumacher’s down-to-earth nature and social commitment when he was honored with the highest award in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The CDU politician emphasized on Wednesday in Cologne: “With Michael Schumacher, we are paying tribute today to a man who not only stands out for his sporting achievements. Above all, today we pay tribute to Michael Schumacher beyond racing and the bright spotlight.”
The 53-year-old Formula 1 record world champion was missing from the award. Since his skiing accident at the end of 2013, he has been recovering from a severe craniocerebral trauma in his adopted country of Switzerland, shielded from the public. While son Mick did not fly from Geneva to Cologne in the morning because of stomach problems, Schumacher’s wife Corinna and daughter Gina accepted the honor.
Corinna Schumacher (53) fought back tears. She had never been so agitated in a public appearance since Fate Day nine years ago. And many Schumacher fans felt with her.
Wüst added at the ceremony for the award of the State Prize in Motorworld in Cologne: “A person who has a big heart and for whom it has always been important to think of others.” Previously, Wüst had also made large donations from Schumacher in front of media representatives among other things for the tsunami victims, but also for the family after the flood disaster last year in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Corinna Schumacher during the award ceremony alongside NRW Prime Minister Wüst. To her right: daughter Gina, Schumacher mentor Todt, and Schumacher’s father Rolf
Quelle: Getty Images/Andreas Rentz
“Through his victories and successes, he rose from humble circumstances to become a true citizen of the world who worked closely with people from many different cultures. But he never forgot where his roots were – about 30 kilometers from here as the crow flies – and he never lost his grip on reality,” said laudator Jean Todt. The 76-year-old Frenchman is one of Schumacher’s companions. “I’m proud to call Michael my friend, and I’m just as proud to have a very close friendship with his family,” Todt said.
