The children of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher have penned a touching tribute on his 55th birthday, as secrecy around his health status continues.
The F1 star turned 55 just days after the 10th anniversary of his devastating ski accident, which left the German driver fighting for life.
He suffered a severe brain injury and was placed in a medically induced coma, with his family initially not expecting him to survive.
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But he did, and after a long stint in hospital, Schumacher went home in September 2014 to continue his recovery.
Since then, however, his health status has been shrouded in mystery, with Schumacher barely seen or heard from in the decade since.
Michael Schumacher’s family issues rare statement on F1 legend
On his birthday, daughter Gina Schumacher, 26, posted a touching birthday message.
“Happy birthday Papa! Throwback to one of our many adventures,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing a picture of herself and brother Mick with their dad.
Mark and Gina Schumacher with their father Michael Schumacher before his accident. Credit: Instagram/Gina Schumacher
Mick Schumacher posted a photo of the pair wearing helmets as Mick pulls a thumbs up gesture for the camera.
“Happy birthday to the best dad ever,” he captioned the photo.
“Love you!”
A throwback photo of Michael Schumacher with his son Mick, before the F1 star’s devastating ski accident. Credit: Instagram/Mick Schumacher
Schumacher’s former F1 team, Mercedes, also took to X (formerly Twitter) to wish him well on his birthday.
“Happy birthday, Michael,” they wrote.
“Today marks the F1 legend’s 55th birthday.
“#KeepFightingMichael.”
December 29 marked 10 years since Schumacher crashed while skiing in the French Alps.
His head struck a boulder, splitting his helmet in two, and he had to be airlifted to hospital, where he underwent two life-saving operations.
German driver Michael Schumacher won a record seven Formula One drivers’ championships. Credit: AP
In a rare interview, his wife Corrina said he was a “different person now”.
“I miss Michael every day,” she said in the Netflix documentary titled Schumacher, released in 2021.
“But it’s not just me who misses him.
“It’s the children, the family, his father, everyone around him.”
Michael and Corinna Schumacher back in 2004. Credit: Getty Images
Wiping away tears, she added: “Everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength.”
Corrina Schumacher is believed to be central to the decision to keep her husband’s condition under wraps.
“Private is private,” she said during the documentary.
“It is very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible.
“Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael.”