Bernie Ecclestone has revealed why he cannot bring himself to visit Michael Schumacher at his home 17 months after the most successful Formula One driver suffered a ski accident that left him with serious head injuries.

Schumacher was left fighting for his life after hitting his head on a rock when he crashed while skiing in the exclusive resort in Meribel in France. The seven-time F1 world champion was immediately taken to Grenoble University Hospital where he underwent two operations to remove haematomas from the brain and reduce swelling, before being transferred to a hospital in Lausanne.

Schumacher was eventually moved back to his home near Lake Geneva last year, where has been recovering from his extensive injuries surrounded by his family.

Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher Show all 17 1 /17 Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher February 2006 Michael Schumacher is seen in the pits during a training session at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste near Valencia in 2006 AFP/Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher November 1994 Hugging two team mechanics in delight for becoming World Champion Driver after the Australian Grand Prix at the Adelaide circuit in November 1994 Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher October 1995 Flavio Briatore carries a jubilant Michael after he wins the Pacific F1 Grand Prix at Aida in Japan, and wins his second World Drivers Championshp Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher February 1996 Schmacher pushes his Ferrari back to the pits after engine trouble left him stranded at the entrance of the pitlane during pre-season testing at Estoril, Portugal Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher March 1996 During the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher March 1997 Michael Schumacher in the pit lane during the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher October 2000 Celebrating on the podium after winning the formula one world championship at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher July 2006 Michael Schumacher leads the pack into the first corner at the start of the French Formula One Grand Prix at the Nevers Magny-Cours Circuit Bongarts/Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher October 2010 Michael Schumacher drives during the Korean Formula One Grand Prix at the Korea International Circuit Clive Mason/Getty Images Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher October 2011 Michael Schumacher and Mercedes GP waves to the crowd as he attends the drivers parade before the Indian Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on October 30, 2011 in Noida, India Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher December 2011 Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher celebrate after winning the Nations Cup at day one of the race of champions event at the Esprit Arena Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher June 2012 Michael Schumacher drives at the Valencia Street Circuit on June 22, 2012 in Valencia during the first practice race of the European Formula One Grand Prix Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher September 2012 Michael Schumacher crashes into the back of Jean-Eric Vergne of France and Scuderia Toro Rosso during the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix in September 2012 Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher November 2012 Schumacher drives in his last race during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace Mark Thompson/Getty Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher December 2013 Deputy director Jean Marc Grenier talks to media outside the CHU Nord hospital in Grenoble, French Alps Reuters Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher December 2013 Members of the staff are seen outside the emergency services at the CHU Nord hospital in Grenoble, French Alps; this is the hospital where retired seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is reported to be hospitalized after a ski accident Reuters Career in Pictures: Michael Schumacher December 2013 A Scuderia Ferrari and Michael Schumacher fan waits, on December 29, in Grenoble, in front of the emergency department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire hospital AFP/Getty

But despite being close during Schumacher’s racing days with Ferrari, F1 supremo Ecclestone admits he wants to remember the good times he shared with the German driver – who also raced for Mercedes, Benetton and Jordan during an unrivalled career.

“I don’t want to see Michael like that,” Ecclestone said in an interview with Fox Sports.

“I remember Michael as he was. That is how I want to see Michael. If he comes back, that is how I want Michael to be.”

Ecclestone wants to remember the good times with Schumacher (Getty Images)

Ecclestone was in charge of F1 while Schumacher was at his best (Getty Images)

Schumacher and Ecclestone maintained a good relationship (Getty Images)

Having been at the helm of F1 since the 70s, Ecclestone rarely shows his compassionate side given he is responsible the pressure the sport is constantly under to entertain the fans and justify its hefty ticket prices.