Corinna keeps Michael Schumacher young

Corinna and Michael

Michael Schumacher is well into his preparations for his Formula 1 return – and he has no doubt who has to thank for his amazing comeback.

Michael Schumacher – now 41 years old – told BILD that his wife Corinna was the one who kept him “young and fit”.

The seven-time F1 world champion is in Jerez in Spain, and this week he has been sweating as never before.

In spite of the wet and cold, Schumi battered his way through 345 kilometres in 78 laps.

And then, for the first time since 2006, Schumacher stood in front of this reporter – with no trace of fat, face as chiselled as ever and a smart haircut. Only the lines around his eyes hinted at the time which has passed.

Does he have a machine to make him look younger?

Schumi laughed. “No, only the good care from my wife Corinna. She keeps me young and fit.

“Somehow I have managed to delay looking old. In reality I have good genes.”

How was everything going ahead of his comeback?

“I now train less than before. I train more effectively and I am more focused.”

Schumacher turned 41 only 12 days ago but one thing is clear – in the new season he will be more physically fit than most of his rivals who are up to 20 years younger than him.

There is a physiotherapist with him in Jerez and experts from the sport clinic in Bad Nauheim treat him around the clock – as they did during his three year racing break.

And that was an enjoyable period – but then suddenly the passion arose within Schumi, the restless record hunter.

He said: “At the age of 40 I had actually finally given up the idea of a comeback. The races I went to were as boring as they were frustrating. Then came the famous situation in the summer and the question from Ross Brawn in November…”

They sat down and talked over a beer in Abu Dhabi. And Brawn, the tactical genius who led Schumi to all seven of his titles, suggested to his friend a crazy idea – come drive for Mercedes!

And the first race of the season is on March 14 in the Kingdom of Bahrain – will Formula 1 be once again Schumacher’s personal realm?

Yesterday he revealed in Jerez: “In our long term planning we have a clear aim: I want to become world champion with Mercedes GP.

“Maybe it won’t happen in the first year, but in three years time it is realistic.”

It is all part of a 2010 which promises to be an incredible sporting year. First the Winter Olympics, then Schumi, then the World Cup in South Africa. Who will make the headlines?

“We actually hold the best cards at Mercedes”, Cologne fan Schumi added. “I have my fingers crossed for Poldi and the German team that they get as far as they can.”

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/more-sport/2010/01/14/michael-schumacher-f1-testing/schumi-wife-corinna-keeps-me-young-and-fit.html

It’s official: Hamilton and Scherzinger split up!

It's over

Today popstar Nicole Scherzinger an F1 driver Lewis Hamilton made a joint statement declaring that they are no longer girlfriend and boyfriend. They stated they wish to focus on their careers in the future and they remain friends.

In the British yellow press it is rumoured the reason for the split is that due to their busy schedules they were forced to spend too much time apart.

Briatore and wife on vacation in Kenya

Banned F1 teamchief, Flavio Briatore usually spends the winter vacation at his estate in Kenya – and this is no different this year. He is with his pregnant wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci:

Flavio Briatore and Elisabetta Gregoraci

Flavio Briatore and Elisabetta Gregoraci

Flavio Briatore and Elisabetta Gregoraci

Elisabetta Gregoraci

Alonso and his wife deny divorce rumours

Raquel del Rosario at the airport

Fernando Alonso and his wife, Raquel del Rosario repeatedly denied Spanish media rumours that they are divorcing each other. Raquel first denied the report on her Internet blog then she was caught by journalists at an airport and she again said it was a lie. When asked if she and Fernando spent the Christmas together, she said: „Of course.”

Fernando talked through his lawyer and made the TV channel who spread the rumour take off the video of the report from their website.

Corinna Schumacher supports Michael’s return

Corinna Schumacher

As you probably know by now, Michael Schumacher will return next year to Formula One as Mercedes GP’s driver. Schumi, 41,  will be by far the oldest driver on the track and he returns after three years of F1-abstinence.

His wife, Corninna has always been very supportive of Michael and it isn’t any different now either:

“It’s true that Michael’s decision to compete in Formula One races again is very unexpectedly turning our family life upside down. When he told me that Ross had called, however, I immediately felt that he was on fire again. As a matter of fact, Michael’s passion for racing is enormous and without this deep passion all that would not have been possible. This passion made Michael who he is today.

I got to know him as a racing driver and, even then, I always had every confidence in him. He knows exactly what he’s doing and he knows as well that I’m always supporting him. Michael simply needs challenges – that’s just the way he is. I can really understand his decision and, to be honest, I actually think it’s great!”

– she is quoted saying by Michael’s official website.

New divorce rumours about the Alonsos

Spanish media have reported before Christmas that Fernando Alonso and his wife have separated and are heading towards a divorce.

However Alonso’s manager has since called the rumours “nonsense”.

This is not the first time that something like this is reported about the Alonsos. So far the rumours never proved to be true.

Giancarlo Fisichella gets married

Last weekend Giancarlo Fisichella finally married his girlfriend of 15 years, Luna Castellani. The couple have two children together, but didn’t hurry with the wedding. The ceremony took place in the San Lorenzo church in Lucina, Rome.

The kiss

Räikkönen and Alonso mourn their grandmothers

Kimi Räikkönen has lost his grandmother last week, according to reports in Finnish papers. Sirkka Pietilä was the mother of Kimi’s mother and she died at the age of 83. In the past she was sometimes seen in the paddock supporting Kimi in full Ferrari outfit.

Kimi was quoted saying that he hopes the media will let the family grieve in peace and their privacy will be respected.

Kimi's grandmother is in the middle

In a sad coincidence Fernando Alonso’s 78-year-old grandmother, Maria Luisa Martinez Lopez died recently too: before the European Grand Prix in Valencia. She died after a long illness.

Fernando and his grandmother in 2003

Corinna and Michael still in love – like on the first day

Sorry that I neglected this blog in the last two months. Now, I want to take it up where I left, so I start with some sweet pics about Corinna and Michael Schumacher (who are still my favourite F1 couple and you can see it on these pics why). These were made on their 14th wedding anniversary at the beginning of August, when Michael was preparing for his (since the failed) F1 comeback with a little karting. The pics were published by Bild.de today.

Still deeply in love

Forgetting everything around

Then a smile to the camera

Schumacher is selling his house in Vufflens-le-Chateau

Michael Schumacher offers his house in Vufflens-le-Chateau for sale. The seven times F1 World Champion moved to the nearby Gland not too long ago with his family, so he is now trying to get rid of their old house. The price he is offering it for is 8.7 million Swiss Franks, however because of the economical crisis he could not find a buyer yet. So he is also ready to rent it out for 29 000 Franks monthly.

The house for sale