Michael Schumacher health condition news: Awarded Nurburgring Lifetime Achievement Award; former Ferrari boss shares hope for recovery

Retired racing world champion Michael Schumacher was conferred with the Nurburgring Lifetime Achievement Award in Germany on Friday, May 27. The award was handed over to his manager Sabine Kehm, who in her speech expressed hope for the athlete's recovery.

"This award is an acknowledgment of his great willpower, his motivation, his talent, his discipline and his work ethic," Kehm said as she collected Schumacher's award on his behalf, as reported by Sports Mole UK.

She went on to say: "I realize we would all like it if Michael himself could be here, but unfortunately that is not possible. We have to accept it and learn to deal with it. We will continue to hope and do everything so that it will be different again."

Schumacher is still fighting to recover from a head trauma which he sustained and survived more than two years ago during a skiing accident in the Swiss Alps.

Meanwhile, former chairman of Ferrari Luca Di Montezemolo shared a positive development in Schumacher's healing.

According to Express UK, Di Montezemolo expressed how pleased he is that Schumacher is "reacting" to the treatment being administered on him. Di Montezemolo continued to put in good words about Schumacher, declaring that he knows how strong the racing legend is. The ex-Ferrari chief also spoke of Schumacher's determination which he believes will be crucial for Schumacher to come out of this "very, very difficult" situation. Amid Schumacher's rather long road to recovery, Di Montezemolo remains hopeful.

Di Montezemolo carried on to refer to Schumacher as the "most important driver in Formula One history" and a "friend" of his. He said that it is difficult for him to distinguish the two identities of Schumacher, "Michael as a driver" and "Michael as a friend."

The racing icon has 91 Grand Prix victories and seven world championship titles under his belt.