Michael Schumacher's former manager explains snub from F1 legend's daughter's wedding
Michael Schumacher had a close friendship with long-time manager Willi Weber but his relationship with the F1 legend's family changed in the aftermath of his life-changing skiing accident
Michael Schumacher's former manager Willi Weber said he "wasn't invited" to the wedding of his old friend's daughter Gina-Maria.
The 26-year-old married beau Iain Bethke in a private ceremony at the Schumacher family's luxury villa in Majorca at the weekend. Relatives and friends were invited to attend, though one notable absentee was the long-serving former manager of the bride's father.
Weber, 82, worked with seven-time Formula 1 champion Schumacher until his final retirement in 2012 and helped the German racer to cash in on his success and become one of the highest paid sports stars on the planet. And he also worked with brother and fellow racer Ralf, who didn't enjoy as much success but still won six races.
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He hasn't been allowed to visit his former client for many years, though, and he was not on the guest list of Gina-Maria's wedding. And, speaking to German outlet Bild, he claims he would not have made the journey to the Spanish island anyway - even if he had been invited.
Weber said: "I wasn't invited, but I wouldn't have attended the wedding even if I had been invited. My health isn't good at the moment. I wouldn't have wanted to fly to Majorca. I wish her the best of luck and I hope she has found the right man, that's always important."
It is not known for certain whether Gina-Maria's father Michael was in attendance at the wedding. Details of the 55-year-old's condition have been sparse since he suffered life-changing injuries in a December 2013 skiing accident, though he does still receive round-the-clock care.
Bild claims it was "very likely" that the former racer made the journey. Though he is primarily cared for by wife Corinna and a team of medical staff at the family home near Lake Geneva, he has been flown to the Majorca holiday villa in the past, while the Schumachers also own a ranch in Texas.
Weber had a strong relationship with the former Ferrari and Mercedes racer during their many years working together. He went on to describe Schumacher as "one of by best friends" and "more like a son that I never had" and, speaking to the Cologne Express last year, spoke of his heartbreak over not being allowed to visit the stricken former racer.
He said: "When I think of Michael now, unfortunately I don't have anymore hope that I will see him again. No positive news after 10 years. Of course, I regret that very much and blame myself. I should have visited Michael in the hospital. I mourned like a dog after his accident. It hit me incredibly hard, you can imagine that.
"But at some point, the point came when I had to free myself from Michael and let go. Even three or four years later, people who recognised me kept asking me, 'You're Schumacher's ex-manager. How is Michael?' Then I stopped trying to explain and thought, 'Why doesn't anyone ask how I'm doing?' For me it was clear, 'Well, now it's over. This crap needs to get out of my head'."
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