Why the state of Michael Schumacher is kept secret for five years

Updates on Michael Schumacher's health status are rare – and his manager has revealed why.

The seven-time Formula 1 champion has rubbed his head against a rock in December 2013, with Mick, his 14-year-old son, in the French Alps.

Since then fans have desperately needed information about German – but this has not been announced.

Speaking at a meeting of media professionals in March 2016, Schumacher's director, Sabine Kehm, explained why.

The comments have just entered the public domain – and reveal why she has never disclosed information about the state of the F1 legend.

"In general, the media have never reported on the privacy of Michael and Corinna," she said.

"When he was in Switzerland, for example, it was clear that he was an individual.

"Once in a long discussion, Michael told me," You do not need to call me for next year, I disappear. "

"I think it was his secret dream to be able to do that one day.

"That's why now I always want to protect his desires by not letting anything out."

Former Ferrari boss Schumacher, Jean Todt, revealed that he was visiting the German champion twice a month.

Earlier in the year, "close relatives" would have given the French magazine "Paris Match" a glimpse of the current well-being of this 49-year-old man.

A family member reportedly said, "When you put him in his wheelchair facing the magnificent panorama of the mountains overlooking the lake, Michael sometimes cries."

Schumacher currently lives in the town of Gland, overlooking Lake Geneva.

And Todt is a regular visitor to their home, seeing his close friend "at least twice a month".

He told the Times: "I love Michael, I see his family, I would like the situation to be different.

"When people ask me what is my best memory, it's Suzuka in 2000. Michael is world champion after 21 years.

"I remember telling Michael:" On a professional level, things will be different for us. "