Michael Schumacher 'in the very best of hands' says family

His family released the statement on the eve of the F1 star’s 50th birthday

1991 - Michael Schumacher made his debut in F1 with Jordan, seen here during practice for the Japanese Grand Prix. Getty Images

1991 -Schumacher in action for Jordan during the Belgian Grand Prix. Getty Images

1994 - Schumacher joined Benetton in 1991, and was crowned world champion for the first time in 1994. Getty Images

1995 - During his time with Benetton Schumacher developed an on track rivalry with British driver Damon Hill. Seen here just before the pair crashed at the Italian Grand Prix. Getty Images

1995 - Schumacher wins his second world championship with Benetton. Getty Images

1996 - Schumacher leaves Benetton to join the iconic Ferrari team. Getty Images

1998 - It took some time for Schumahcer to find success with Ferrari, in both the 1998 and 1999 seasons Mika Hakkinen of McLaren won the world championship. Schumacher is seen here on the podium with Hakkinen. Getty Images

1999 - Schumacher suffered a broken leg after he hit a wall during the British Grand Prix. Getty Images

2000 - Schumacher wins his first world championship with Ferrari. Seen here celebrating after the Malaysian Grand Prix. Getty Images

2001 - Back to Back. Schumacher wins the title again, making him a four time champion. Getty Images

2002 - Three in a row. Schumacher wins the championship again, seen here racing at the Belgian Grand Prix. Getty Images

2003 - Champion again. This was his sixth world title, putting him one championship ahead of Juan Manuel Fangio - making him the most decorated driver in history. Seen here celebrating after the Japanese Grand Prix. Getty Images

2004 - Domination. Schumacher wins his fifth world title in a row, and his seventh championship overall. Getty Images

2006 - Schumacher enters his car ahead of his final race for Ferarri, at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He retired from the sport at the end of the 2006 season. Getty Images

2010 - Schumacher makes a comeback to F1 with Mercedes, driving alongside future world champion Nico Rosberg. Getty Images

2012 - Schumacher finishes third at the European Grand Prix, making him the oldest driver to secure a podium finish since 1970, aged 43. He retired for a second and final time at the end of the 2012 season. Getty Images

The family of German F1 star Michael Schumacher have said they are doing “everything humanly possible to help him” in a rare public statement.

The F1 driver was involved in a skiing accident in France in 2013 and has not been in public since. The family rarely speaks publicly about his condition.

The post, written on Facebook on Wednesday, said the seven-time F1 world champion "is in the very best of hands" and asked fans to understand the reasons the family has decided to keep details about Schumacher's health private.

The former Ferrari driver’s 50th birthday on Thursday will be marked by the release of an app, which is being called a “virtual museum”, and a suite of “Schumojis” - emojis designed especially with the racing driver in mind.

“We want to remember and celebrate his victories, his records and his jubilation,” the family wrote.

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

“We wish you a lot of fun with it."

The app and "Schumojis" will raise funds for the Keep Fighting Foundation, a charitable organisation inspired by Schumacher which funds culture, education, science, public health and motivation projects.

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Schumacher: The Official App will be updated later this year to reflect the 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix in April and the 25th anniversary of his first World Championship victory in November.

Schumacher's son Mick, who was with his father at the time of the low-speed accident, won this year’s European Formula Three championship, thus moving up to Formula Two in 2019.