- December 29 marks ten years since Michael Schumacher had a skiing accident
- Schumacher built a special bond with a chef near the Ferrari factory
- She remembers the date they first met, prior to his first year at Ferrari
Michael Schumacher's 'Italian mother' has spoken about the bond she had with the Formula 1 superstar that started ahead of his first season at Ferrari.
The Montana restaurant in Fiorano Modense is just a two-minute drive from the Ferrari factory. Schumacher perfected his craft at the Fiorano circuit, with the machine that won him five of his seven championships built at the factory in the Italian city.
Needing a break after completing his F1 duties for the day, the German superstar headed to chef Rossella Giannini's restaurant most days.
They built a special relationship, with Giannini still remembering to this day the date they first met: February 14, 1996.
However, December 29 marks ten years since Schumacher's life changed due to a horror skiing accident. To this day, Giannini hopes he will one day walk through the front doors of her restaurant.
Michael Schumacher's 'Italian mother' (pictured) has revealed he isn't talking to his family but hopes he will 'walk through the front door' of her restaurant he regularly visited
Rossella Giannini first met Schumacher in February 1996 (ten days after this photo was taken) ahead of his first season at Ferrari after winning two championships with Benneton
Schumacher won five of his seven titles with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004
According to German publication BIL, she said, “I miss him very much. Every day I look at the front door and hope that he will come by again and that I will make tagliatelle al ragu for him (Schumacher's favorite dish in the restaurant).
'I can hardly believe the accident happened ten years ago. In the meantime, I have been able to make peace with the situation. I no longer suffer, but think of the beautiful moments.'
Michael's son Mick was also scheduled to visit the restaurant, but since she left the Ferrari Young Driver program those visits have become less frequent and she is currently out of contact with the family.
She said: 'I don't want to be a burden. The situation is difficult enough for the relatives. Every now and then I talk to people from Ferrari and ask, but I don't want to impose myself.'
Giannini was on holiday when she heard about Schumacher's accident in the French Alps.
While crossing an unsecured off-piste area he fell and hit his head on a rock, suffering serious head injuries despite wearing a helmet.
She said her “world fell apart” when she learned of the severity of the accident.
Giannini revealed she doesn't talk to Schumacher's family to 'not bother' (Schumacher pictured with wife Corinna during a winter ski trip in January 2005)
December 29 marks ten years since Schumacher's horror skiing accident (pictured in 2012)
Schumacher was later brought out of a medically induced coma and left hospital in June 2014, but has not been seen in public since, while his family and medical staff cared for him.
His family has maintained strict privacy about his condition.
However, in the Netflix documentary Schumacher, which was shown in 2021, Corinna provided a rare update.
She revealed that he continued to undergo rehabilitation for the life-changing injuries he suffered, claiming that he is now 'different, but here'.
Fans will get a rare glimpse into the F1 legend's life this month with a new five-part documentary from German broadcaster ARD, airing on December 28, marking ten years since the horrific skiing accident.