Schumacher family release statement ahead of his 50th birthday

The family of Michael Schumacher have taken to social media to release a statement ahead of the Formula 1 legend's 50th birthday on the 3rd January, announcing the release of a new app in the name of the German which will allow users access to his virtual museum.

It was recently announced that, at the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, a new exhibition would highlight the career of the record championship winner alongside his private collection in Cologne, with the Michael Schumacher app allowing users to experience the museum contents from anywhere in the world.

One day before his 50th birthday, a statement was released from the Schumacher family on Facebook.

"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," the statement reads

"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.

To celebrate Michael's 50th birthday on January 3, there is a special gift for him, his family and his fans: the Official Schumacher App. A virtual museum that honours the career of the @F1 star. In the App Stores from 3 January 2019. #Michael50 #TeamMichael #KeepFighting pic.twitter.com/nYrdXoTjkF — Michael Schumacher (@schumacher) December 28, 2018

"You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him. Please understand if we are following Michael's wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy. At the same time we say thank you very much for your friendship and wish you a healthy and happy year 2019."

Schumacher is currently recovering from brain trauma injuries suffered after a skiing accident in 2013, and while news of his current health status remains privately held by the family, fans can embrace his 50th birthday celebrations with the new virtual app.

MORE: You'll be able to see Ferrari's Michael Schumacher exhibition from anywhere in the world...
MORE: 'Hamilton emulated Schumacher and Senna in 2018'