Formula One legend Michael Schumacher turns 51 today. He was born on January 03, 1969, in Hürth Town of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. On Schumacher's birthday fans around the world are sending their best wishes to the sporting icon. He is considered to be the best driver the world has ever seen and a record 7 Formula One championship bears testimony to the fact. Schumi, as he is fondly called dominated the racing track like no one. Just the joy of watching him race inspired a generation of young drivers to take up this sport as a career. Michael Schumacher’s Son Mick to Test Ferrari F1 Car in Bahrain.

Although we have not seen Michael Schumacher publicly for more than six years now after a freak skiing accident in the Alps, he continues to command the same love and respect from his admirers around the world.

Michael Schumacher was a beast when it came to racing and won 5 consecutive titles between the year 2000 to 2004. His greatness can be gauged by the fact that he has won 91 Grand Prix wins and also has the record for the fastest lap at 77. In the year 2004, he won 13 races in the season which also is a record in F1. His time with Ferrari, which he considered as part of his family saw him achieve unprecedented success.

Ferrari had been poor for ages up until 1996 when they signed the German, an event that would change the destiny of the two parties forever. Schumacher remained at the team for a decade winning several titles. During the twilight of his career, he moved to Mercedes. The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix was the last of Michael Schumacher’s career in which he finished seventh and was 13th in the Driver’s Championship.

Some Quick Facts About The Former F1 Champion

  • Michael Schumacher was born on 3rd January 1969 in Hurth, Germany to Brick Layer Rolf Schumacher.

  • He has seven Formula One Championship titles to his name and 91 Grand Prix victories which is a world record.

  •  Schumacher won five World Championships between 2000 and 2004 and in the year 2004, he registered 13 race victories.

  • He also holds the record for most fastest laps in Formula One history at 77.

  • Michael Schumacher was involved with Ferrari between 1996 and 2006 where he was at the peak of his career.

  • Michael Schumacher along with brother Ralf Schumacher finished first and second at the 2001 Canadian Grand Prix to become the first brothers to do so.

  • Michael Schumacher’s son Mick Schumacher is part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and races in Formula 2 Championship.

  • Michael Schumacher was estimated at 515 million dollars back in 2015.

  • Michael Schumacher is a two time Laureus World Sport award winner back in 2002 and 2004.

  • He gifted Indian icon, Sachin Tendulkar, a Ferraro 360 Modena on behalf of Fiat on the eve of 2002 British Grand Prix.

Outside F1, Michael Schumacher is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in association with UNESCO. He is a two time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award winner and is also the recipient of Legion d’honneur title by the French government. Football and Horse Racing are two popular sports Schumacher is quite fond of, and he has also been part of several charity football matches.

At present, his private life is heavily guarded, and there is not much clue about his health situation. He is cared by a team of experts at his 50 million dollar mansion in Switzerland where a medical facility has been created. The fans are hopeful though they will get to see their idol sometime in the near future.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2020 12:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).