Jean Todt has spoken openly about one of the most common perceptions surrounding Michael Schumacher, insisting the legendary German was widely misunderstood during his Formula 1 career.

Todt, who led Ferrari during one of the most successful eras in the team’s history, worked closely with Schumacher from 1996 to 2006. Together, they helped build a dominant partnership that delivered five consecutive world titles between 2000 and 2004.

Despite Schumacher’s extraordinary success, many fans and observers viewed him as cold or arrogant. Todt, however, says that image never reflected the person he came to know.

“Michael is quite a fragile human being,” Todt said in the High Performance podcast, explaining that the seven-time champion was far more sensitive than many realised.

To illustrate that side of his character, Todt recalled a moment after Schumacher had already become world champion. Before the following season began, the German asked for private testing at Fiorano Circuit.

“He asked me to give him half a day... to make sure I'm still good,” Todt revealed.

For the former Ferrari boss, that request showed Schumacher’s mentality. Even after reaching the top, he still questioned himself and wanted to earn his place again.

Todt also dismissed the long-standing arrogance label.

“Completely,” he said when asked whether people had judged Schumacher wrongly.

Instead, Todt described him as “a kind of shy, generous guy”, adding that his reserved personality was often mistaken for arrogance from the outside.

Their relationship also changed significantly over time. What began as a professional partnership gradually developed into a close personal bond, with Todt describing it as something that eventually became more like family than work.