The daughter of Formula 1 star Michael Schumacher has wished her father a happy birthday in a touching social media post as he turns 50.

Gina Schumacher, the racing legend's eldest child, posted three photos of her father on Instagram, accompanied with the caption: "Happy birthday to the best dad."

Michael Schumacher has not been seen in public since he suffered a serious head injury when he fell and hit his head in a skiing accident in the French Alps five years ago.

On Wednesday, his family released a rare statement urging fans to celebrate his birthday as he continues to recover.

The progress of F1's most decorated driver has been kept largely secret, at the request of his wife Corinna, but on the eve of his 50th birthday his family said they would be celebrating his milestone.


In a statement, the family said: "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."

Image: Gina Schumacher, 21, is the racing driver's eldest child

They also announced a new Michael Schumacher smartphone app created by the Keep Fighting Foundation, which serves as a "virtual museum" to celebrate the racer's accomplishments.

"We want to remember and celebrate his victories, his records and his jubilation," the family added. "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.

91 victories, seven world titles, and just one word to describe him...



Some of those that know Michael @schumacher best sum up the legend in just a single word. What word would you use?#KeepFightingMichael #Michael50 pic.twitter.com/pkAjK5nGIR — Formula 1 (@F1) January 3, 2019

"At the same time we say thank you very much for your friendship and wish you a healthy and happy year 2019."

Fellow racing drivers wished Schumacher a happy birthday in a video tweeted by Formula 1. They described him as a "king" and a "hero".

Others wishing Schumacher a happy birthday on social media included McLaren, motor sport executive Jean Todt and racing driver Mika Hakkinen, who urged him to "keep fighting".

Schumacher is understood to be receiving treatment at the family home in Lake Geneva, Switzerland.