The wife of stricken world champion Michael Schumacher has fought back tears as she gave her most extensive update on his condition, eight years after a skiing accident.
Schumacher hasn’t been seen since he was badly injured in a fall in France in December 2013, the accident leaving him with a near-fatal head injury.
In an interview for the Netflix documentary Schumacher, Corinna reveals for the first time how fate intervened on that terrible day.
“Shortly before it happened in Meribel he said to me, ‘The snow isn’t optimal. We could fly to Dubai and go skydiving there’,” Corinna said.
“I have never blamed God for what happened. It was just really bad luck, all the bad luck anyone can have in life.
“It’s always terrible when you say, ‘Why is this happening to Michael or us?’ But then why does it happen to other people?
“Of course, I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him. The children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael.”
The documentary, which will be released on September 15, covers Schumacher’s career, from his earliest days in karting to his Formula One debut in 1991, and his seven world titles.
READ MORE: UFC Octagon girls hit back at Khabib for ‘useless’ comment
READ MORE: Canadian teenager continues US Open surge with another big scalp
READ MORE: Crunch time looms for Ronaldo nostalgia play
Featuring interviews with family and friends, as well as never before seen footage, including home movies, it’s an insight into the private life of the German star.
While he hasn’t been seen in public in eight years, Corinna gave a brief look at what life is like behind the curtain.
“Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength, I find,” she said.
“We’re together. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond.
“And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will.
“We’re trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives.
“‘Private is private’, as he always said. It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible.
“Michael always protected us and now we are protecting Michael.”
Schumacher’s former team boss at Ferrari, Jean Todt, spoke about how so many lives were changed in an instant.
“Fate had usually been kind to Michael,” he said.
“But this time, unfortunately, he became a victim of misfortune.
“Michael and his family’s life was turned upside down. The family’s life changed completely from one minute to the next. A father, such a strong leader, and that disintegrated from one minute to the next.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here