Michael Schumacher speaks into a microphone in previously unseen footage from documentary marking 10 years since his tragic skiing accident… but all is not as it seems

Previously unseen footage of Michael Schumacher speaking has been revealed as part of a new documentary marking 10 years since his tragic skiing accident.

December 29 marks a decade since the seven-time Formula One champion suffered major head injuries in the resort of Meribel in the French Alps.

The condition of Schumacher, who was put into an artificial coma and underwent several surgeries, has been shrouded in mystery ever since, with only brief updates coming from his inner circle. 

However, in a recent documentary, previously unseen footage of the German was revealed and showed him speaking into a microphone. 

The documentary ‘Being Michael Schumacher’ – released on ARD on December 28th – the ex-Ferrari driver appears in a blurred shot before he steps into the foreground to a microphone and says ‘Now it starts’.

December 29 will mark 10 years since Schumacher’s life changed in a skiing accident

 Fans were quick to question when the footage had been shot, with some hoping that it could spell a potential return for the former F1 champion.

However, filmmakers later revealed that the footage was in-fact filmed prior to his accident in 2013.   

According to BILD, Andreas Troll, who is responsible for the film, said: ‘With the documentary we paint an overall picture of the person and athlete Michael Schumacher. 

‘We therefore used recordings from the many years in which we reported on him and accompanied him. The two videos are from 2012, so they are not current. 

‘At that time I had already made a Schumacher documentary, for which we also visited him in Switzerland. As part of the very close collaboration, he was accessible to such productions.’ 

The 54-year-old was put into an artificial coma and underwent several surgeries, and has not been seen in the public eye since before his accident. 

His family have maintained a strict privacy about his condition, though he is cared for by a team of medical staff and his wife Corinna at their Lake Geneva home. 

German publication BILD also revealed that as part of his care and rehabilitation, Schumacher has been driven in a Mercedes AMG car. 

The seven-time Formula One champion hasn’t been seen publicly since accident 10 years ago

The purpose of this was to stimulate the brain with familiar sounds, after Schumacher spent over two decades racing cars whether in Formula One or in other categories before his 1991 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix. 

It’s also revealed that up to 15 doctors, masseurs and assistants are part of his care team in order to give him the best care 24-hours a day. 

Schumacher’s wife Corinna has strict rules on who can visit the Formula One legend at their care home.

That list includes close friends Jean Todt – Schumacher’s former team principal at Ferrari – and Luca Badoer – a former test driver for the Scuderia during the German’s glory years.