Few updates have been provided about the health of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher since his life-altering skiing accident. Schumacher suffered devastating head injuries in December 2013 when he hit his head on a rock while on a festive break with his family in the French Alps. Now 56, he has been confined to his home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland, where he receives around-the-clock medical care and is only visited by a select group of people.

One of his former bosses, Flavio Briatore, revealed earlier this month that he frequently speaks with Schumacher's wife, Corinna. During an interview with Corriere della Sera, Briatore said: "If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory. I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though." That followed a more detailed update from Briatore's ex-wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci, who claimed: "Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him and I know who they are." Here is what we know to be true about Schumacher's condition...

Rumours were denied regarding Schumacher's supposed attendance at daughter Gina-Maria's wedding to Iain Bethke in Majorca last year.

Despite owning a property on the Spanish island, claims that Schumacher was present were branded as "fake news." Johnny Herbert, his former Benetton, said: "Unfortunately, from what I understand, that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it."

Earlier in the year, it emerged that Schumacher had autographed a helmet for Sir Jackie Stewart's charity. With assistance from Corinna, he signed 'MS' on the headgear to support Stewart's Race Against Dementia initiative.

Sir Jackie, speaking to the Daily Mail, expressed his gratitude, saying: "It is wonderful that Michael could sign the helmet in this worthy cause, a disease for which there is no cure."

Although he did clear up that Schumacher didn't totally make the gesture happen by himself. Stewart added: "His wife helped him, and it completed the set of every single champion still with us."

Jean Todt, a close ally of the Schumacher family and Michael's boss during his dominant years at Ferrari, has occasionally provided insights into Schumacher's health while urging the press to respect the family's privacy.

Earlier this year, Todt told La Repubblica: "The family has decided not to answer the question [on his condition], a choice that I respect. I see him regularly and with affection, him and his family. Our bond goes beyond the past work. It is part of my life, which today is very far from Formula 1."

Todt has previously mentioned watching F1 races with Schumacher, stating in a 2022 interview with German broadcaster RTL: "I don't miss Michael. I see him. Yes, it's true, I watch races with Michael. But sure, I guess what I miss is what we used to do together."

However, in 2023, he shared with L'Equipe: "[He] is simply not the Michael he used to be. He is different and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children, who protect him."

RTL reporter Felix Gorner said earlier this year that Schumacher is "completely dependant" on caregivers and "can no longer express himself verbally".

His family has chosen to limit access to Schumacher, with only around 20 people allowed to see him in order to maintain his privacy. That should come as no surprise, as Schumacher was fiercely protective of his family during the height of his racing fame.

Corinna, who has played a key role in shielding her husband from the public eye, shared a rare insight during the 2021 Netflix documentary about Michael's life and career.

"Michael is here. Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength, I find," she said. "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."