German outlet slammed after faking ‘first Schumacher interview’

Mick Schumacher drives his father’s Ferrari F2003-GA in October

German media publication Die Aktuelle has been criticised for appearing to claim it had gained an exclusive first interview with Michael Schumacher since his horror accident in 2013. Schumacher suffered life-altering head injuries following a skiing accident 10 years ago and very few updates have been given on the racing icon’s condition since.

Schumacher has not spoken publicly since the incident, which will have taken place a decade ago later this year. His wife Corinna has insisted that the family’s privacy be respected.

But that did not stop Die Aktuelle from seemingly tricking fans that it had interviewed the former Ferrari star. The publication, a renowned gossip magazine, led with a front page claiming to have spoken with Schumacher.

“Michael Schumacher, The First Interview, World Sensation,” the front page exclaimed. The words were featured alongside an older picture of the 54-year-old.

Don’t miss…
Inside the life of Michael Schumacher: Health update, house, cars[UPDATE]

But underneath, the small-print read: “It sounds deceptively real,” suggesting that the magazine had actually created an interview using AI technology. The work has since been strongly condemned.

Writing in Ubermedien, German media expert Boris Rosenkranz criticised Die Aktuelle for giving the reader the impression it had gained an exclusive first interview with the seven-time world champion. “This story here is a particularly remarkable cheek, even for Die Aktuelle,” Rosenkranz said.

“You can’t hide the calculation to give the readership the feeling that Michael Schumacher might be talking about his physical condition.”

Corinna offered a rare insight into Schumacher’s wellbeing in a 2021 Netflix documentary, Schumacher. She insisted that her husband remains present, even if the situation is ‘different’ for the family.

Don’t miss…
Lewis Hamilton meltdown defended as Wolff almost had ‘heart attack'[INSIGHT]
Max Verstappen disrupted by Kelly Piquet’s daughter during sim race[LATEST]
Russell claims Lewis Hamilton could have ‘damaged’ Verstappen’s career[QUOTES]

“Of course, I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him: the children, the family, his father, everyone around him,” Corinna told the documentary. “Everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here. It is different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength, I find.”

She added: “We do therapy, we do everything we can to make Michael better, and to make sure he’s comfortable, and to simply make him feel our family, our bond. And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will.

“We’re trying to carry on as a family the way Michael liked it and still does and we are getting on with our lives. ‘Private is private’, he always said. It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible, Michael always protected us, now we are protecting Michael.”

Source: Read Full Article