One of the biggest names in Formula One, Michael Schumacher seems to have been around for what seems like forever.

He was the first German to win the Formula One championship and holds a mind-boggling array of world records. Up to his retirement last year, Schumacher had won the Formula One championship a total of 7 times over a 10 year period.

Racing must be in the Schumacher blood, as Michael is the older brother of up-and-coming sibling Ralf.

Michael Schumacher was the happy recipient of the FIA Gold Medal for Motorsport in 2006, and in 2002 and 2004 was awarded the Laureas World Sportsman of the Year title.

A collision in the 1997 European Grand Prix led to his participation in the FIA road safety programme, and he has since been involved in many other road safety campaigns and organizations.

Michael Schumacher’s career highlights

• In the whole of his Formula One World championship career, Schumacher attained a whopping 91 wins

• His career kick-started in 1991 when he made his first appearance at the Belgian Grand Prix for the Jordan-Ford team

• He has secured 22 Perfect Scores over his career

• He helped develop the world’s first lightweight carbon helmet

• Michael Schumacher has both a daughter and a son

• He was born in Germany in 1969

• He is a certified car mechanic

• He now lives in Switzerland where he plays football with the local team