Michael Schumacher’s ex-manager has hit out at the former F1 star’s daughter following her recent wedding.
Schumacher, 55, is a seven-time F1 champion and retired in 2012.
The German has not been seen in public since sustaining a head injury while skiing on the French Alps in December 2013.
There has been little public information about his condition or recovery since the incident, with his family asking for privacy.
Due to his sporting prestige and the shocking accident he was involved in, the Schumacher family are subject to regular media attention.
Schumacher’s son, Mick, has carried the family name representing Haas in F1 between 2021 and 2022. Since then, the 25-year-old has served as a reserve driver for both Ferrari and most recently Mercedes in 2024.
However, the family name has been the reason for some controversy in recent weeks.
Mick’s sister Gina Schumacher married her boyfriend Iain Bekthe at a luxury £27m villa in Majorca in September, according to Daily Mail.
Gina is said to have changed her name on her Facebook profile to her husband’s surname – now reading Gina Bekthe, according to BILD.
Schumacher’s former manager, Willi Weber, voiced his thoughts on the decision to change her name, and it’s safe to say he did not approve.
“Why would you just drop such a big name?” Weber responded.
“I don’t understand it!
“Giving up a name like that. It’s a brand. It’s connected to her father. I wouldn’t have done that. But that’s her decision! The other is my opinion.”
Michael Schumacher and Willi Weber were once close associates (Credit:Getty)
Gina is a well-known equestrian and usually competes under the name ‘Gina Schumacher Bethke’.
Her Instagram handle remains ‘Gina Schumacher’.
Weber previously revealed how he was unable to attend the wedding due to ‘health issues’ and stressed how he has already ‘said goodbye’ to Schumacher – during an interview in September.
“I’m thinking about my successes with Michael – our goals and our victories,” he told BILD.
“I remember Michael the way he was. And we probably won’t see each other again.
“It was my fault that I didn’t visit Michael after the accident and stand by him. Because I thought the media reports were exaggerated.
“I thought I’d better wait a few days, and then everything would be fine. But it was too late. For a long time I blamed myself for not reacting immediately.
“Since then, I’ve said goodbye to Michael in my heart in order to find my peace again.”
He also revealed how he has had “no contact with the family” over the last ten years.