Mercedes-Benz

MICHAEL Schumacher’s ex-Formula One team Mercedes have urged him to “keep fighting” on the day of his 55th birthday.The message of support comes as the seven-time F1 world champion continues to recover from a tragic skiing accident in December 2013.
Mercedes have urged Schumacher to ‘keep fighting’ as he celebrates his 55th birthdayCredit: Twitter/X/@MercedesAMGF1
The German has been recovering from a tragic skiing accident for the past decadeCredit: AFP
Schumacher drove for Mercedes for three seasons after coming out of retirement in 2010Credit: AFP
The legendary German was left fighting for his life after suffering a severe brain injury that saw him placed in a medically induced coma.
But since being discharged from hospital in September 2014 to receive treatment at home, his recovery has been shrouded in mystery.
The birthday message from Mercedes, however, provides some minor update and suggests the 55-year-old is still battling back to full recovery.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the official Mercedes account wrote: “Happy Birthday, Michael. Today marks the @F1 legend’s 55th birthday. #KeepFightingMichael.”
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Attached was a photo of Schumacher celebrating in Mercedes-clad gear and standing in front of one of his former cars.
Fans flocked to the comments section to send their own birthday wishes to the German, but also to show their support for his wellbeing.
One person said: “The man who made me fall in love with F1. Happy birthday, legend!”
A second added: “Greatest of all time. I hope he is doing well.”
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A third wrote: “Keep Fighting Legend!”
Despite rare glimpses into his health offering little reason for optimism, the world of motorsport still holds the legendary German close to its hearts.
His personality, racecraft and records have left an irreversible mark on the sport’s history.
By the time Schumacher made his comeback from retirement in 2010 with Mercedes, however, he took just one podium during his three season stint.
But it is the seven world championships and 91 wins over a glittering career between 1992 and 2006 that he is best remembered for.
December 29 marked a full decade since Schumacher crashed while skiing in the French Alps, with his family sharing an agonising message
The Keep Fighting Foundation, founded and run by Schumacher’s family urged the “inspiration” to keep going.
But health updates continue to be few and far between, leaving room for speculation and conflicting reports from “insiders” about his slow progress.
Schumacher’s ex-Ferrari rival, Rubens Barrichello, even revealed the time he was denied a visit to the F1 legend after his fateful accident.
Speaking to Flow Podcast in his native Brazil, Barrichello said he tried visiting his former teammate after the accident, but was declined after getting a call from Schuey’s team.
Three years before the crash, Schumacher tied up his £750million fortune to his family in his will and testament, despite being just 41 at the time.
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When questioned on his decision by a German magazine in 2010, he replied: “Because of things that can happen in everyday life.”
And how right he proved to be during that foreshadowing interview, with Schumacher left fighting for his life three years later.
Schumacher took just one podium during his two years with MercedesCredit: AFP
But it is the seven world championships and 91 wins over a glittering career between 1992 and 2006 that he is best remembered forCredit: Alamy More

MICHAEL Schumacher has reportedly been back in the seat of a Mercedes car almost 10 years since his tragic ski accident.The F1 legend has been driven around in sporty AMG Merc to help stimulate his brain with familiar sounds of race cars.
Michael Schumacher, pictured before his accident, has been driven round in a Mercedes to help stimulate his brain and help with his recovery
Schumacher has 24-hour assistance from 15 doctors and a team of masseurs after his tragic ski accident almost a decade agoCredit: AFP
The purpose of the trips was to help his brain by getting him to listen to familiar sounds of race cars and the roar of a Mercedes AMG engineCredit: Alamy
It comes as further details emerge about Schumacher’s condition and treatment.
He is being looked after by an expert team of 15 doctors and his loving wife Corinna at their estate in Switzerland.
Still seen as one of the greatest F1 drivers in history, Schuey has been receiving 24-hour care ever since he suffered a devastating head injury while skiing in the French Alps. 
December 29, marks a decade since the driver fell and struck a a rock so hard it split his helmet in two – leaving him in a coma for 250 days.
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German publication BILD recently revealed that alongside the 15 doctors, Schumacher also has a range of masseurs and assistants as part of his care team. 
BILD also broke the heartwarming news about the ex-Mercedes driver being given regular trips in their cars as part of his treatment.
The purpose of the trips was to stimulate his brain with familiar sounds of race cars and the roar of a Mercedes AMG engine.
The seven time world champion dominated motorsport in a decade of dominance between 1994 and 2004 when he won titles with both Ferrari and Benetton.
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Schumacher spent over two decades racing, making his F1 debut in 1991 at the Belgian Grand Prix for the Jordan team.
He ended his illustrious career after the 2012 season and was replaced by Lewis Hamilton – the man who would go on to equal his record number of world titles.
Ever since his accident, his family have kept his life and condition completely private and he has not been seen or heard from.
He currently lives alongside his wife at their Lake Geneva home under the care of a team of doctors.
The latest news comes after former F1 ace and pal of Schuey – Timo Glock – spoke about what life could’ve been like had the icon of Motorsports never been in the accident.
The 41-year-old German fantasised over what he thinks Schumacher might be up to today if he was able to recover fully and regain his drive and determination for success.
Timo Glock said: “He would always have been around the F1 paddock but whether he would have been a pundit, I don’t know.
“He would not have been the F1 expert in front of the cameras. Yes, he would have done interviews but I think he would have worked for the sport he lived for.”
But Timo feels like his quest for glory would’ve made him want to continue and win more championships but as a team principle.
He continued: “Maybe not in the first part of his retirement, maybe later on. But he would definitely have been a good person in that position because he knows exactly what it needs.”
Other successful drivers have also turned into team bosses such as Alain Prost and Sir Jackie Stewart.
The driver also said he “never thought it would be that tragic” a decade on from the horror ski crash.
Timo spoke to BettingSites.co.uk about how he first heard about the news and how he never imagined it would cause so much long-term pain to Michael.
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“We were playing cards and we heard about it on the news. It was a huge shock. You never thought it would be that tragic.
“With Michael normally you would say he stands up and walks away. But sometimes things can be tragic.”
The ex-Mercedes man hasn’t been seen near a race car in almost a decade as he recovers at home from a tragic skiing accident
Schumacher is looked after by his wife Corinna who has made sure to keep his life and health private amongst just his close friends and familyCredit: Rex Features More

RED BULL team boss Christian Horner has accused Mercedes of “f***ing up” on the day Lewis Hamilton missed out on the 2021 World Championship in controversial manner.The infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw the British star miss out the F1 world title to Max Verstappen.
Christian Horner accused Mercedes of ‘f***ing up’ with Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Max Verstappen bagged the win at that year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Verstappen won the World Championship title that day
Hamilton was unable to secure a record-breaking eighth F1 title
December 12 marked the second anniversary of the 2021 season finale which saw Hamilton dethroned from his streak of F1 title wins.
He had won four years in a row before he gave up his crown to Dutch driver Verstappen following a controversial decision.
FIA race director Michael Masi did not enforce the Safety Car rules correctly which led to a one-lap shootout for the title.
Hamilton, who was leading the whole race, was set to secure his eighth world championship but was beaten to the title in the dying seconds with his rival on fresher tyres.
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Verstappen overtook the Brit at the Turn 5 hairpin to take the race victory along with the F1 title.
And it was found the Dutchman had pitted for a new set of soft tyres ahead of the restart while Hamilton was left exposed on worn hard tyres.
Horner accused Mercedes of making a strategic error with their driver.
He told Sky’s A League Of Their Own “I have absolutely no idea” why the race is so well-known.
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Horner continued: “Mercedes f***ed up. They left poor Lewis out there on tyres that had done pretty much most of the race and we’d pitted with Max, so he was on a fresh set of tyres.
“Max made the move.”
Horner revealed Verstappen never planned to complete the decisive pass at the hairpin but aimed to launch a move up the inside as he struggled with a cramp in his left leg.
He said: “The interesting thing is where Max passed him – it caught Lewis completely by surprise.
“After the race, Max told us he didn’t intend to overtake him there but he got cramp behind the Safety Car and he couldn’t feel his left foot properly, so he thought: ‘Oh, f*** it, I’m going for it anyway.
“And then, when they were going down the straight, he was trying to wake his left foot up to hit the brakes for the next chicane.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON has blasted the FIA’s handling of their bungled conflict-of-interest investigation into Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and his wife, Susie.On Thursday evening the FIA confirmed they were dropping the case after just TWO DAYS following an article citing that rival F1 teams were upset that the latter was working as managing director of F1 Academy.
Lewis Hamilton is in Baku for the FIA’s annual galaCredit: Alamy
Toto Wolff and Susie Wolff have both responded to bogus conflict-of-interest claimsCredit: EPA
It followed a display of unity from F1 teams, who released statements saying they had no issue with either’s positions.
Speaking at the FIA prize giving gala in Baku, Hamilton delivered a stinging attack on F1’s governing body, accusing them of “trying to pull us back” when they make progress.
He said: “It has been a challenging week – a disappointing week really.
“To see the governing body of our sport has seeked to question the integrity of one of the most incredible female leaders we’ve ever had in our sport, with Susie Wolff, without questioning, without any evidence. Then just saying sorry at the end, that’s just unacceptable.
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“We’ve got a lot of great people in the sport that are doing amazing work, there is a constant fight to really improve diversity and inclusion within the industry.
“But it seems there are certain individuals within the leadership of the FIA that every time we make a step forward they’re trying to pull us back and that has to change.
“This is a global sport and we have such an incredible opportunity and a natural responsibility to be a leader of change, travelling to all countries around the world we have a responsibility to make sure we are pushing the right direction.
“I do want to acknowledge there are a lot of people doing great work but we need to make some changes to make sure we are pushing in the right direction.”
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It comes as Wolff, who is team principal, CEO and co-owner of the Mercedes F1 team said he was seeking a legal explanation from the FIA over the matter.
He issued a statement saying: “We are currently in active legal exchange with the FIA. We await full transparency about what took place and why, and have expressly reserved all legal rights.”
His statement came after his wife, a former racing driver and Formula E team boss herself, had posted on social media responding to the FIA’s short statement that they had ceased their investigation.
She wrote: “When I saw the statement issued by the FIA, my first reaction was: ‘Is that it?’.
“For two days, insinuations have been made about my integrity in public and through background briefings, but nobody from the FIA has spoken to me directly.
“I might have been collateral damage in an unsuccessful attack on somebody else, or the target of a failed attempt to discredit me personally, but I have worked too hard to have my reputation called into question by an unfounded press release.
“I will not allow myself to be intimidated and intend to follow up until I have found out who has instigated this campaign and misled the media.
“What happened this week is simply not good enough. As a sport, we must demand, and we deserve, better.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton also took aim at the FIA for holding their annual event in Baku, Azerbaijan – a five and a half hour flight from London.
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He added: “Whilst I really like Baku, it’s really a beautiful place, questions in my mind of whether the FIA is really actually thinking about sustainability because so many people flew out here.
“The FIA is based in Paris and it just would have been easier to stay there.”
F1’s most high-profile figures including Christian Horner and Max Verstappen have travelled to BakuCredit: Alamy More