Michael Schumacher Health Updates: Sabine Kehm debunks rumors that F1 champ could walk again; Son Mick to join Ferrari-linked junior team

By Staff Writer | Jan 08, 2016 09:00 AM EST

Michael Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm denied speculations that his client and friend would be able to walk again. She said that the rumors were irresponsible reporting. Meanwhile, Schumacher's 16-year old son is in talks to join an Italian Ferrari-linked junior team.

According to Stuff.co.nz, Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm denied previous rumors that the former racer will be able to walk again. The seven-time Formula One champion sustained severe brain injuries and was placed in a medically-induced coma after his 2013 skiing accident in the French Alps.

Kehm said that the rumors were mere speculation and that they were irresponsibly reported. She said that she wanted to be as candid as possible when asked about the situation so as not to raise any false hopes. She also said that privacy was of utmost importance to the Schumacher family and she had to protect that.

Another article by The Telegraph reported that Kehm directed her comment to the German lifestyle magazine Bunte after it published a piece that stated Schumacher had made a dramatic recovery and would walk again. An unnamed source allegedly told the magazine, "Michael is very thin. But he can walk again with a little help from his therapist... He manages to walk a few steps. He can even raise his arm." Despite Kehm's rebuff, Bunte magazine refused to abandon its report.

Meanwhile, Schumacher's 16-year old son Mick continues to hold headlines after it was reported that he is currently in negotiations to sign a deal with the Ferrari-linked Italian junior team, Prema. According to Fox Sports, Prema's founder Angelo Rosin said that he would meet Kehm in January to discuss the deal. The young racer began his career in motorsport in 2008 under the pseudonym Mick Betsch to avoid media attention but eventually reverted to his real surname in 2015 when he raced for Van Amersfoort Racing in the ADAC Formula 4.

Michael Schumacher is a retired German racing driver considered as one of the greatest Formula One drivers in sports history. He was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, once in 2002 and once in 2004. He drove for Ferrari for 11 years.

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