F1 fraternity sends birthday wishes to Michael Schumacher

• Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher turned 52-years-old on 3 January.

• The German is out of the public eye since suffering head injuries from a skiing accident in 2013. 

• Several former and current drivers wished the F1 legend and offered heartfelt messages.

The Formula 1 fraternity wished Michael Schumacher a happy 52nd birthday on Sunday. The seven-time Formula 1 champion has been out of the public eye since he suffered head injuries in a 2013 skiing accident. 

The former Benetton and Ferrari driver was hospitalised for 254 days and underwent several operations after the accident left him in an induced coma. 

Schumacher's son, Mick, will make his debut in the top tier of motor racing this year. The 21-year-old finished as the top driver in Formula 2 before signing a contract with Haas. 

However, his father will not be watching from the stands or pit garage as the Schumacher family remains tight-lipped around Michael's condition. 

Former Ferrari boss and current FIA president Jean Todt reportedly visits Schumacher at the family home in Switzerland. 

Several former and current drivers wished the F1 legend and offered heartfelt messages. Among those who wished Schumacher on Twitter is current F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and former Honda driver Jenson Button. 

Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton posted a photograph of himself and Schumacher.

Former F1 driver and world champion Jenson Button sent his wishes to Schumacher on Twitter.

F1's official Twitter account posted a video featuring some of the ex-Ferrari driver's best moments in the sport. 

Ferrari posted an image of Schumacher celebrating a race win and a heartfelt message. 

Schumacher is widely regarded as the best racing driver of all time, amassing seven titles during his time at Benetton and Ferrari. 

The German scored 91 victories and scored 77 fastest laps during his 19-year long career. Schumacher retired from the sport in 2006, the same season in which he scored his last victory, the Chinese Grand Prix. 

But the maestro wasn't ready to hang up his racing overalls and helmet just yet, and returned to the sport four years later with Mercedes. Schumacher spent three seasons at the team before retiring for a second time in 2012. 

The family's legacy will be reignited in 2021 as Mick begins his F1 career. The youngster is part of the Ferrari driving academy and is paired up with Russian Nikita Mazepin for the American-owned team. 

The 21-year-old impressed in F2 and showed great resilience and decisiveness during the season to lift the drivers' title. 

All eyes will be on Schumacher at the opening race in Melbourne to see how he takes to the world of F1. He certainly won't be the only person wishing his father was watching from the stands.