MARCH 22, 2017

Schumacher's favourite uncle dies

The Schumacher family is grappling with its latest blow, as the F1 legend's uncle passes away.

The Schumacher family is grappling with its latest blow, as the F1 legend's uncle passes away.

Bunte, a German weekly newsmagazine, revealed that Karl-Heinz Schumacher - the brother of Michael's father Rolf - has died after a battle with cancer at the age of 64.

The publication said that, like the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver's father, Karl-Heinz was also a bricklayer and Schumacher's 'favourite uncle'.

Bunte said Karl-Heinz was particularly close to Michael, as he took care of his mother Elisabeth after her marriage breakdown in 1997. It is also said that Karl-Heinz discovered Elisabeth after she collapsed at home in 2003 and later died.

The report said Karl-Heinz also worked on Schumacher's kart team.

A family friend told Bunte: "It's terrible. The suffering of the family simply does not end.

"Since Michael's accident everyone is already very sad, and now Karl-Heinz has died. Luckily, his (Schumacher's) mother does not have to go through it."

(GMM)