Rolf Schumacher, father of former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives at the CHU hospital emergency unit in Grenoble, French Alps, where Michael is hospitalized, January 5, 2014.EMMANUEL FOUDROT/Reuters
For now, no news is good news when it comes to Michael Schumacher.
As the seven-time Formula One world champion continues to fight for his life in a French hospital after a skiing accident, the only noteworthy releases would likely be bad, so fans should try to be patient.
And no news is what we will get as Schumacher's long-time spokesperson, Sabine Kehm, sent a release Monday saying that there will be no further press conferences or written press releases for the time being.
The winner of 91 grands prix fell in the French Alps Dec. 29, hitting his head on a rock. He was wearing a helmet and only travelling about 20 kilometres per hour at the time of the accident, but doctors needed to perform two surgeries and have put the 45-year-old into an induced coma. He has been stable, but critical, since.
Although a large group of fans wearing Ferrari red gathered outside the Grenoble hospital to show their support to the driver and his family, nerves are becoming frayed. In addition to the ever-present media, the family also had to deal with an imposter who tried to gain access to the driver's room dressed up as a priest.
Previously, Kehm sent a statement to media on Saturday urging everyone to respect the family's need for privacy.
She also attempted to quell the rumour mill, stressing that any information regarding Schumacher's health that does not come from his doctors or his management "must be treated as invalid and pure speculation."
In addition, it was made clear that Schumacher's helmet camera was voluntarily given to the investigating authorities by the family and reports that they did not want to hand over the video were untrue. Apparently, there is also a cellphone video of the incident.
Those looking for some interesting and expert insight into what is going on might want to look up former Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile medical delegate Gary Hartstein's blog.
Hartstein has been watching the press conferences from Grenoble and blogging analysis that helps the medically challenged understand the treatments being used and possible outcomes. His also stresses that his posts are for reference only and based on his experience as an F1 medic rather than any direct information from Schumacher's medical team.
At the moment, things will likely go very slow as the doctors treating the retired F1 driver ease him out of the sedation periodically over a period of days or weeks and try to ascertain the damage done by the brain injury and his progress as time goes on.
At this point, waiting is the key for everyone, whether it's Schumacher's doctors, the media, or his fans.
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Rolex 24 at Daytona: Roar Before the 24
The final test before the Rolex 24 at Daytona concluded on Sunday, which means the opening race of the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (USC) is just around the corner.
The new USC arose from the merger of Grand-American Roles Sports Car Series and American Le Mans, a deal that was announced last year.
The Corvette Daytona Prototypes served notice to the rest of the field that they mean business after the marque put up the top-2 times in the Prototype Class, and five of the top-6 times overall. Action Express Racing's Christian Fittipaldi set the fastest time in the three-day test at the Daytona International Speedway. The "Roar Before the 24" serves a dress rehearsal for the 52nd Rolex 24 which goes Jan. 25-26.
Richard Westbrook was second-quickest on the weekend in the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona, which will also have Canadian Michael Valiante at the wheel.
Interestingly, multiple Rolex 24 champions Chip Ganassi Racing left the test after the second day and went home, apparently due to some troubles with its Ford EcoBoost engine. Another Ford-powered team, Michael Shank Racing, also departed following Saturday's session.
Canadian driver Mark Wilkins will race the Rolex 24 with CORE Autosport, which put up the second fastest time in its Formula Le Mans class over the weekend.
The series' governing International Motor Sports Association also unveiled the 2014 sporting rules for USC on Sunday. Among other things, the new series will use the Grand-Am points system.
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Dakar 2014 draws one million fans
In Rosario, Argentina, about one million fans gathered to cheer on the start of the Dakar 2014, as a total of 431 teams got going on the first stage on Sunday. The 809-kilometre route from the city about 300 km northwest of Buenos Aires ended in San Luis, which is about 500 km further east.
The Canadian team of David Bensadoun and co-driver Patrick Beaulé completed the day in 59th place. The 2014 Dakar continues Monday. The 13-stage route goes through Argentina, Bolivia and ends Jan. 18 in Valparaiso, Chile, covering a grand total of almost 5,000 kilometers.
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Coroner's report released after Fast and Furious star's death
The Los Angeles County coroner's report into the death of Fast and Furious star Paul Walker in a car crash on a California street appears to point to speed as the likely cause of the accident that took his life along with driver Roger Rodas, who raced in the Pirelli World Challenge.
The Porsche Carrera GT was travelling at more than 160 kilometres per hour when it lost control and hit a tree and light post on the driver's side before spinning into another tree on the passenger side. Both men died from the trauma of the impact before the car burst into flames.
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Jeff Pappone