Swiss authorities are investigating a sexual assault case involving a close associate of the family of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher.

According to the indictment, the accused is an Australian racing driver and friend of Mick Schumacher, who allegedly raped Michael Schumacher’s nurse inside the family’s mansion in Gland, in the canton of Vaud, at the end of 2019.

No family involvement

As reported by the Swiss outlet 24heures.ch, the Schumacher family has no involvement in the case beyond the fact that the alleged assault occurred at their residence. No family member was present at the time, nor have any been called to testify. Prosecutor Xavier Christ, who is handling the case, has not requested the family’s participation in the proceedings.

The victim and the accused

The alleged victim, then in her thirties, was part of the permanent medical team caring for Schumacher after his severe head injury sustained in a skiing accident in Méribel in 2013. The accused, also around 30 years old, was a professional single-seater racing driver with ambitions to enter Formula 1, though his career did not progress that far. At the time, he maintained a close friendship with Mick Schumacher, with whom he often raced and appeared together at public events. He had free access to the family estate and occasionally stayed there.

The night of the alleged assault

The incident allegedly took place on November 23, 2019. According to court documents, the accused and the nurse were in the billiard room of the house along with two other staff members. The evening turned into a casual drinking session, during which the woman became severely intoxicated and unable to stand. A physiotherapist and the accused helped her to a staff bedroom to rest. “They placed her on the bed without undressing her,” the indictment states, noting that they left the bathroom light on.

A short while later, the man allegedly returned to the room and raped her twice, taking advantage of her condition. None of the other staff members noticed anything unusual. The next day, the woman woke up with no recollection of the events, but noticed physical and material signs that caused her concern. In a later SMS exchange with the accused, his own messages appeared to incriminate him, according to investigators. Realizing what had happened, she told him not to contact her again and chose not to inform the Schumacher family, fearing she might lose her job.

The delayed complaint

The complaint was filed two years later, in January 2022 — a delay authorities say is not unusual in sexual assault cases, as victims often need time to come forward. The woman had since been dismissed from her position, despite claiming impeccable professional conduct. Her dismissal coincided with another visit by the accused to the Schumacher residence.

Uncertain trial

The trial was scheduled for Wednesday at 9 a.m., but its continuation is uncertain, as the accused has been missing for several months, despite having cooperated earlier in the investigation.

In 2024, he had traveled from Australia to testify before the prosecutor, claiming the encounter was consensual. If he fails to appear in court, the hearing may be postponed, since trials in absentia are extremely rare in Switzerland.

The attorneys for both parties — Patrick Michaud for the nurse and Luc Vannay for the accused — declined to comment, as did the Schumacher family’s communications office.