TODAY marks the 50th birthday of Michael Schumacher, still considered to be one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time.
The German has not been seen in public since he sustained a serious head injury in a skiing accident on the French Alps five years ago.
Yesterday, Schumacher’s family issued a rare public statement about his medical condition, stating that they are “doing everything humanly possible” to help the seven-time Formula One world champion.
The most decorated star in F1 history is understood to be receiving medical care at the family home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland, but updates regarding his health have been few and far between.
50 years ago, a star was born. A star who shaped and changed @F1 forever. Who broke records, redefined excellence and helped lay the foundations for our future success.
We’d like to send our very best wishes to Michael @Schumacher on his 50th birthday. #KeepFighting #Michael50 pic.twitter.com/247WKprWCD
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) January 3, 2019
We join the whole of the #F1 family in sending Michael @Schumacher our very best wishes on his 50th birthday#KeepFightingMichael #Michael50 pic.twitter.com/jrewTNipSb
— Formula 1 (@F1) January 3, 2019
The wall of secrecy, enforced at the request of his wife Corinna, was established to protect one of the biggest names in modern sporting times.
The family statement read: “You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him.
“Please understand if we are following Michael’s wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy.
“At the same time we say thank you very much for your friendship and wish you a healthy and happy year 2019.”
Today, a virtual museum – The Official Michael Schumacher App – has been launched to celebrate the driver’s legacy.
“As a gift to him, you and us, Keep Fighting Foundation has created a virtual museum,” the statement added.
“The app is another milestone in our effort to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments. We wish you a lot of fun with it.
“Michael can be proud of what he has achieved, and so are we! That’s why we remember his successes with the Michael Schumacher Private Collection exhibition in Cologne, by publishing memories in social media and by continuing his charitable work through the Keep Fighting Foundation.
“We want to remember and celebrate his victories, his records and his jubilation.”
Schumacher’s career in pictures
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe