Today, January 3, Michael Schumacher turns 55 years old. The German racing driver, seven-time “Formula 1” champion, is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Schumacher was born in Hurth-Hermulheim in Germany. His love for auto racing began as a child, when his father taught him to ride a go-kart. Later they opened a karting center together.

In 1991, Schumacher made his “Formula 1” debut with the Jordan team. In his first season he finished 14th overall. In 1992 he won his first Grand Prix in Belgium. For his bright yellow overalls and the smile on his face, Schumacher received his first nickname in Formula 1 - “Sunny Boy”.

In 1994, the driver won his first “Formula 1” title. The following season he repeated this achievement. In 1996, he moved to the Scuderia Ferrari team, for which he competed until 2006.

With Ferrari, Schumacher dominated “Formula 1” for many years. He won seven championship titles, which is an absolute record. Schumacher also won 91 Grands Prix, the second most in history.

In 2006, Schumacher announced his retirement. However, in 2010 he returned to “Formula 1” as part of the Mercedes team.

On December 29, 2013, Schumacher suffered a serious head injury while skiing. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and fell into a coma. Over the years, Schumacher has undergone several operations and rehabilitation courses.

In September 2021, in a documentary, Michael Schumacher's wife and son said that he could not move independently or fully communicate. In December 2023, Ralf Schumacher confirmed that his brother Michael could not lead a full life.

Source: «АиФ»