Michael Schumacher's family seeks new hope in America

Michael Schumacher could be moved to America where a brain injury specialist could instill new hope for the F1 legend.

Schumacher has been confined to his home in Switzerland following a ski accident in 2013 which inflicted severe brain damage on the seven-time world champion.

Not much is known of the 48-year-old's medical condition with the family imposing a strict black-out on all information relating to his health.

But German magazine Bravo reports that with Schumacher's condition still "weak", his wife Corina has reached out for help from the US.

Great onboard footage of Mick Schumacher in his father's Benetton!

The report said Schumacher could be transferred to Dallas, Texas, where the family owns a cattle farm.

There, a brain injury specialist called Mark Weeks has a clinic that could be a "new hope" for the Schumacher family, Bravo claims.

"We have extensive experience with trauma patients," Weeks is quoted as saying.

"There is probably no clinic in Europe that handles as many cases as we do."

If the report is true, it likely means that Michael Schumacher's condition is not improving unfortunately, but perhaps it also signifies that hope remains.

The only member of the Formula 1 community which has had the opportunity to visit Michael Schumacher is FIA president Jean Todt.

But the Frenchman has never offered any insight into the great driver's condition. An alarming report surfaced last year, based on comments from former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, but was quickly scrapped by the family's spokesperson Sabine Kehm.

Schumacher's son Mick, who has embarked on a career of his own in motorsport, has never publicly spoken about his father's condition.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.