Michael Schumacher ‘is paralysed, wheelchair-bound and unable to speak.

Ex-Formula One driver Philippee Streiff has claimed that Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is paralysed and is on wheel chair. He also claimed that he has some memory and speech problems from the brain injuries he sustained in a skiing accident in France last year. The 45-year-old seven-time champion cannot speak and has memory problems.

Streiff, 59, who himself had a crash in year 1989, went to seen Schumacher when the German was in intensive care in Grenoble Hospital, France.

Streiff, who was paralysed by a crash in 1989, said: “He is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult. He can’t speak. Like me he is in a wheelchair, paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems.”

Schumacher, 45, suffered head injuries in the December 2013 fall and was placed in an induced coma by doctors. A doctor who helped treat Schumacher in Grenoble after his skiing accident claimed last month that it could take years to recover from his severe injuries.

“I have noticed some progress but I would say we will have to give him time. It is like for other patients. We are in a time scale of one to three years, so you need patience,”Jean-Francois Payen said.

“It is like for other patients. We are in a time scale of one to three years, so you need patience.”

Schumacher spent nine months in hospital before returning to his home in Lake Geneva to continue his recovery. Schumacher was transferred to Lausanne Hospital, Switzerland, in June and he is now being cared for at his home in Lake Geneva.

Schumacher’s family thanked fans for their support.