SAKHIR: Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher, still in a coma in a French hospital after a skiing accident in late December, is to have the first corner of Bahrain’s Formula One circuit named after him.
The German won the inaugural Bahrain race in 2004 and also advised on the design of the circuit.
“From his first appearance… in 2004, he immediately became an inspiration for all those who love motorsport in the Kingdom and it is therefore natural for us to recognise him in this way,” Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed al Zayani said in a statement on Sunday.
Schumacher’s representative Sabine Kehm said the family welcomed the move.
“I am convinced Michael will love the idea and feel very honoured about having a BIC corner named after him,” she added.
Schumacher also has a corner named after him at the Nuerburgring circuit in Germany.
The announcement came on the final day of pre-season testing before the first race in Melbourne on March 16.
Schumacher, 45, has undergone two operations since sustaining brain injuries after hitting his head on a rock while skiing with his family in the French Alpine resort of Meribel on December 29.
Doctors at the hospital in Grenoble started waking him up progressively by lowering his sedation in early February but there have been no medical updates for some weeks. (Reuters)
