Michael Schumacher has “signed” a helmet belonging to Sir Jackie Stewart with the aid of his wife Corinna.
Schumacher, who has not been seen in public since falling into a coma after suffering a life-threatening skiing accident in 2013, added his initials “MS” to the helmet, meaning it has now been signed by every living world champion.
Stewart, 85, is raising money for his Race Against Dementia charity, which is funding a new blood test trial developed by the University of Cambridge. Stewart’s wife of 63 years, Lady Stewart, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2014.
The Scot, who won the Formula One drivers’ championship three times, in 1969, 1971 and 1973, during one of the most dangerous eras for grand prix racing, said he was extremely touched by Schumacher’s contribution.
“It is wonderful that Michael could sign the helmet in this worthy cause – a disease for which there is no cure,” he told the Daily Mail. “His wife helped him, and it completed the set of every single champion still with us.”
Schumacher’s primary residence and rehabilitation site is at a custom-built property on the shores of Lake Geneva in Gland, Switzerland, where he is cared for by medical staff.
The white helmet with Royal Stewart Tartan – as worn by Stewart during his career – will be revealed ahead of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix when Stewart will drive his 1973 championship-winning Tyrrell on an exhibition lap.
The Scot, who lives in Buckinghamshire but also spends time in Switzerland, where he has created an accessible home for his wife without steps or obstacles, gave a moving interview to the BBC last week in which he revealed that Lady Stewart recently forgot who he was.
“Just the other day it was time for dinner, she’s getting up and I’m sitting close by, and she says, ‘Where’s Jackie?’ That’s the first time that’s happened and that’s only a few weeks ago,” he said.
“A bad feeling came over me,” he added, describing Lady Stewart’s mind as being in “a new world”.
Stewart added that he hoped a cure for dementia could be found in his lifetime.
“I want this to happen just as much as I wanted to be world champion,” he said. “It’s terribly important.”
