Michael Schumacher's F1 boss gives tragic insight into star's condition after chats with his wife

Michael Schumacher's former boss Flavio Briatore has shed light on the Ferrari legend's condition - 12 years after suffering a brain injury on a skiing trip.

Schumacher's family have kept his medical condition a secret, with his wife Corinna only allowing a select few to visit him at their home in Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

The 56-year-old is thought to be resigned to a bed with round-the-clock medical care ever since suffering his horrific accident in December 2013.

But now Briatore, who was head of the Benetton team when Schumacher won his first two titles, has given a glimpse into how the Ferrari legend has been living.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera, he revealed: "If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory.

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"I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though.'

The update comes after Briatore's ex-wife Elisabetta Gregoraci had previously claimed: "Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him and I know who they are."

There has been multiple reports into Schumacher's condition and general wellbeing and there were hopes he was improving after he signed an F1 helmet - with the help of Corinna.

His former team-mate Johnny Herbert - from his Benetton days - expressed hope that the gesture was a small "sign" he might be "on the mend".

"It’s wonderful news that Michael Schumacher signed Jackie Stewart's helmet,' Herbert said, speaking to .

"It was a wonderful moment. We haven't seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it's a sign."

Schumacher is regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time after securing four championship wins, a record that has since been equalled by .