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Michael Schumacher news: Family looking to sustain F1 racer's medical expenses?

Three years ago, Michael Schumacher was enjoying the twilight of his career, with 91 wins to his name and seven Formula One World Championship trophies to boot, he had cemented his reputation as one of F1's best drivers ever. However, a family vacation in the French Alps turned to tragedy, and he has had an entirely different battle on his hands ever since.

Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher jubilates after taking the pole position at the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix in Manama on March 11, 2006. | REUTERS/Karen Firouz

Schumacher, who sustained traumatic head injuries in a freak skiing accident, had to be placed in a medically induced coma for half a year. He's now reportedly in a suite in his Geneva mansion, which has been custom built to suit his medical needs.

His family has imposed a media blackout to protect the F1 racer's privacy, and in the years since the accident, very little precise information has been made known about Schumacher's true condition. His long-time manager, Sabine Kehm, is also keeping mum purportedly out of respect for the family's desire to keep things private.

That has led to speculation in both directions - that his condition is better, or worse, than many believe - depending on which source you read.

While Schumacher's precise condition remains confidential, there are multiple reports claiming that his medical expenses have been immense, and some media outlets have claimed that this has prompted his wife, Corinna, to sell off properties to raise funds to maintain the treatment the much-loved F1 legend needs.

According to The Drive, his two-decade-old Mercedes E55 AMG, which has run 123,000 miles is now up for sale for a whopping $133 million, five times more than its original price. Considering that Schumacher has probably spent countless hours driving it, the car could already be considered priceless to his most devoted fans.

Previously, it was also reported that his wife sold their vacation house and jet. However, as opposed to the rumors claiming the family needs more money, some have reported that Corinna has simply sold the properties as she realizes her husband might not be able to use them again, and as such, their family no longer needs them.

Friends and fans continue to keep Schumacher's condition in their hopes and prayers, and hope that eventually, as so many times in his career, he will overcome the odds and gain victory over his health battle.