Michael Schumacher wedding appearance claims dismissed as 'fake news' by F1 colleague

Former Formula 1 star and Le Mans champion Johnny Herbert has cast doubt on claims that Michael Schumacher attended his daughter's wedding.

Herbert labelled these suggestions as 'fake news', following German reports indicating that Schumacher was present at the nuptials of Gina-Maria and her husband Iain Bethke.

The Ferrari legend hasn't been seen in public for over a decade since his tragic skiing accident. News of the seven-time world champion's presence at the family's £27million Majorca villa sparked curiosity, with wife Corinna being notoriously protective of her husband's privacy, reports Wales Online.

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Only a select group of trusted friends and relatives have previously been permitted to visit him. It is said that only a small number of people within and around the Schumacher family are privy to the details of his condition.

Schumacher continues to require 24-hour medical care following his life-changing crash. Despite surviving, the ex-racer spent several months in a medically-induced coma before being allowed to return to the family home on Lake Geneva in September 2014.

Reports suggested measures were implemented at the wedding to ensure Schumacher's privacy, with guests required to leave their mobile phones at the door to prevent photographs. However, former Bennetton racer Herbert dismissed the suggestion that his friend was in attendance.

"It will always be a closed shop," he remarked to Flashscore. "The most recent rumour was he attended his daughter's wedding. Unfortunately, from what I understand that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it."

Neurosurgeon Jussi Posti, known for being upfront about the racing legend's condition, has previously said that Schumacher's reported state makes such events highly improbable.

"If a hospital has been built in his house, with everything medicalised around him, it seems that he has been in hospital most of the time," Posti elaborated in an Iltalehti interview. "Based on the information available, I don't think he leads a very active life."

He added: "Everything points to him being unwell. As bedridden patients, most people become so frail and stiff that it is no longer possible to get them out of bed after so many years."