Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Family of Michael Schumacher open 'virtual museum' to celebrate F1 legend's achievements as he turns 50

Commemorated: Michael Schumacher's virtual museum will celebrate the F1 legend's achievements. (Picture: AFP)

The family of Michael Schumacher have made a rare statement ahead of the Formula One legend's 50th birthday, confirming the launch of virtual museum to celebrate his remarkable achievements in his career.

The German, 50 on Thursday, has not been seen in public since suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013 and now resides at a care home in Switzerland.

Schumacher won seven world championship titles during an era of dominance with Ferrari, as well as racing for Bennetton early in his career. After initially retiring in 2006, he returned to the sport in 2010 with Mercedes, before bowing out for good in 2012.

Ahead of his 50th birthday on January 3, the family say they want to use Schumacher's birthday to "remember and celebrate his victories, his records and his jubilation", with a new app containing a virtual museum launched on Thursday.

"We are very happy to celebrate Michael's 50th birthday tomorrow together with you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts that we can do this together," said the family.

"As a gift to him, you and us, Keep Fighting Foundation has created a virtual museum. The Official Michael Schumacher App will be released tomorrow, so that we can review all together Michael's successes.

"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 remains F1's most decorated driver, with 91 grands prix victories and 155 podium finishes to his name. He is also the only driver to have won seven world championship titles, with Briton Lewis Hamilton and Juan Manuel Fangio both winning five.

Legacy: Michael Schumacher's son, Mick, is closing in on an F1 seat. (AFP)

His son, 19-year-old Mick, recently won the FIA's F3 championship and is set to race in F2 in 2019 - widely regarded as the next step in following in his father into F1.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.