Michael Schumacher inundated with goodwill messages on his 50th birthday

Michael Schumacher has been inundated with goodwill wishes on his 50th birthday.

The seven-time F1 champion suffered serious head injuries in a freak skiing accident on December 29, 2013 and his family remain fiercely protective about revealing details about his physical state. He continues to receive specialist treatment at his home in Switzerland.

Michael Schumacher's manager expressed the "continued support and patience" being offered to the stricken Formula One star. "We must hope that with continued support and patience he will one day be back with us," Sabine Kehm said. In December 2016 she added Schumacher's health "is not a public issue."

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

The seven-time Formula One champion was hospitalized December 29 after suffering "severe head trauma" from a ski accident in the French Alps. He is no longer in a coma and has since been transferred to a hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland for rehabilitation. Here's a look back at his personal and career highlights on the 20th anniversary of his first world title triumph.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher is hoisted by his pit crew at the Australian Grand Prix track in Adelaide, Australia, after winning the Formula 1 World Drivers Championship in 1994.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher holds up the victory trophy, left, and the French Republic President's trophy after winning the French Formula 1 Grand Prix in Magny Cours, France, in 1995.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher meets Pope John Paul II in 1999.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

King Juan Carlos of Spain congratulates Schumacher after he won the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2001.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher checks out an Enzo Ferrari at Frankfurt's International Motor Show in 2003.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher steers his Ferrari in front of a Eurofighter on the track of a military airport in Grosseto, Italy, in 2003.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher sits in his car before the start at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix in 2004 in Shanghai.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

A man rides past a poster with Schumacher's likeness in Bahreman, Iran, in 2005.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Felipe Massa hugs Schumacher after Massa won first place in the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Turkey in Istanbul in 2006.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher drives during a practice session at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne in 2006.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher celebrates his win at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Germany in 2006 in Hockenheim, Germany.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher's pit team works on his car during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of China in Shanghai in 2006.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher arrives for an awards ceremony in Oviedo, Spain, in 2007.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher autographs the T-shirt of an earthquake victim in Costa Rica in 2009.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Shumacher presents the new Mercedes SLS AMG, also the 2010 Formula 1 safety car, in Geneva in 2010.

Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher —

Schumacher visits the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to test eSafety technologies in 2011.

Formula One champion Michael Schumacher

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READ: Michael Schumacher’s legacy lives on with app launch on 50th birthday

Social media was awash with birthday messages on Thursday, led by current world champion Lewis Hamilton who posted a tweet to his “inspiration.”

“Wishing you a happy birthday, Michael. 50 years of life and a legacy that will last forever. What an honour it is to say that I have raced with you.

“You’ve always been a true inspiration to me and the entire world. Keep fighting, Champ,” the Mercedes driver wrote.

Schumacher became synonymous with Ferrari during his illustrious career, winning five successive world titles between 2000-2004.

His former team tweeted a message of support to its “champ.”

After a temporary retirement in 2006, Schumacher returned four years later to drive for Hamilton’s current team, Mercedes.

“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,” tweeted the Mercedes team.

“We’d like to send our very best wishes to Michael on his 50th birthday.”

Current Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, who has won four world titles, shared a picture on Instagram of him as a child posing with Schumacher.

FIA president Jean Todt tweeted: “Affectionate thoughts for Michael @schumacher , the greatest @F1 champion in history, with unbroken records.”

An official Schumacher app – which will be a “virtual museum” of the driver’s achievements – has been released to honor the driver who secured a record seven championships and 91 race victories.

“We are very happy to celebrate Michael’s 50th birthday together with you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts that we can do this together. As a gift to him, you and us, Keep Fighting Foundation has created a virtual museum,” said the statement.

“The app is another milestone in our effort to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments.”