Yannick Dainese: the helicopter pilot who rescued Michael Schumacher 12 years ago

The day that changed everything On 29 December 2013 the world of Formula 1 was shocked by the news of a very serious accident that occurred to Michael Schumacher in the French Alps, more precisely in Meribél. The seven-time world champion, on holiday with his family in a ski resort, fell and violently hit his head on a rock. His condition immediately seemed critical, with the German being transported by helicopter to the Grenoble hospital after urgent first aid on site. An apparent “joke” Even today, just over twelve years after the incident, the family has maintained total confidentiality about the state of health of the former Ferrari driver. However, the pilot at the controls of the helicopter that landed in Meribél, Yannick Dainese, told L’Equipe what happened that day and what was his first reaction: “A rescuer jumped out of the helicopter with the doctor and told me ‘Let’s go to Schumacher!’. At first I thought he was joking. But when the commander ordered us to remove the microphones and GoPros and to ban journalists from accompanying us, I understood that it was true.” The flight to Grenoble Dainese, who admitted he was not an F1 fan, recalled how the flight to the hospital had been completely silent, with all crew members never speaking until the hospital: “Subconsciously, I felt the pressure because I knew he was revered like a god. But for me, he was just another seriously injured person.”

Automobile Magazine – F1 English News , 2026-06-02 16:00:00