Fry on Schumacher: 'Wouldn't surprise me if those reports are true'

Still more details unknown than known about Michael Schumacher's condition. The family shrouds itself in silence, a position everyone respects. Yet every now and then (former) F1 promoters do speak about Schumacher in the media, including Pat Fry.

"I haven't heard anything about Michael Schumacher's condition, so I'm unable to confirm or deny any of the recent reports about him," Fry was referring to statements made by Johnny Herbert, who indicated that it had come to his attention that the record champion could be at the table at dinner. Herbert did, however, add that he "did not know if it was true".

'Best medical team in the world'

Fry: "Michael has the best medical team in the world, and I'm 100 per cent sure that no human being in history has had the treatment Michael has had for his specific injury. The family has the resources," he said. "I hope and pray that they're making progress with him."

The technical director, who left Alpine after the Belgian Grand Prix and is employed by Williams from next season, continued: "If the reports about him at the dinner table or in a car are true, then it wouldn't surprise me at all because I'd imagine that's the type of thing you'd do to get the brain going again. The only thing I hope for is for Michael's quality of life to be good."

It has now been 10 years since Schumacher suffered a serious accident while skiing. He was in a coma for almost six months. He is currently being cared for by a specialist team of doctors and carers. Where exactly that is is also unknown.