Michael Schumacher always wanted to disappear from the public limelight.
And that is why updates on his health have been few and far between since his tragic ski accident over five years ago.
The seven-time F1 world champion hit his head on a rock while skiing with his then-14-year-old son Mick in the French Alps in December 2013.
Schumacher, 50, was left with severe head injuries and had to be placed in a medically-induced coma for a number of months.
News and updates on Schumacher's condition never been released.
He is understood to have been receiving medical care at the family home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland, but that appears to be all of the information that has been released.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Schumacher had been taken to a hospital in Paris for treatment with a pioneering French surgeon.
It's claimed the former Ferrari driver was set to undergo treatment based on stem-cell transfusion by French surgeon Philippe Menasche, having arrived at the Continuous Monitoring Unit of the Cardiovascular Surgery Department.
But it is the first time any update has been reported on Schumacher's treatment at any point.
Speaking at a meeting of media professionals back in March 2016, Schumacher’s manager Sabine Kehm lifted the lid on why updates have been few and far between.
The comments have come into the public domain - and reveal why she has never released any information about the F1 legend’s condition.
"In general the media have never reported on Michael and Corinna's private life," she said.
"When he was in Switzerland, for example, it was clear he was a private individual.
"Once in a long discussion Michael said to me: 'You don't need to call me for the next year, I'm disappearing.'
"I think it was his secret dream to be able to do that some day.
"That's why now I still want to protect his wishes in that I don't let anything get out."
