Ahead of his 50th birthday on January 3, the family of Michael Schumacher has released a rare statement, letting fans know the retired racing driver is being looked after.

In a statement released overnight, the family said: “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."

Schumacher has not been seen in public since December 29, 2013, when he fell and hit his head on a rock while skiing off piste at the Meribel resort in the French Alps.

After going through an operation and a period of induced coma at a hospital in Grenoble, Schumacher has been cared for at his home in Switzerland.

Details about his current condition are known to only close friends and family members.

To celebrate his 50th birthday, his foundation, the Keep Fighting Movement, will release an app for both iOS and Android devices with a virtual museum allowing fans to enjoy the best moments from Schumacher's racing career.

In addition to this, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello will host a special exhibit of photos from his years with the company's Formula One team. Mercedes-Benz will also have some of his cars on display at its museum in Stuttgart.

During his stint with the prancing horse he won five straight drivers' championships from 2000 to 2004.

Throughout his Formula One career Schumacher drove in 308 Grand Prix races, secured 91 victories, had 68 pole positions and won seven world championships, including two with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.

He retired from racing in 2006, only to come back with Mercedes-Benz in 2010. He retired for good in 2012 with only an extra Grand Prix win under his belt.