In a rare statement on the eve of Michael Schumacher’s 50th birthday, his wife Corinna has said that the family is “doing everything humanly possible to help” the seven-time Formula One champion in his struggle to recover from a devastating ski accident in December 2013, Telegraph reported.

As Ferrari, with whom Schumacher won five consecutive titles from 2000, prepare to open an exhibition celebrating his career at their headquarters in Maranello, she promised that the Schumachers would be toasting his “victories, records and jubilation” as he turned 50.

In keeping with her policy of keeping Schumacher’s health private, she gave no substantive update on his condition but emphasised: “You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands.”

In the message on Facebook, she added: “Please understand if we are following Michael’s wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy. We are very happy to celebrate Michael’s 50th birthday tomorrow with you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts that we can do this together.”

These were the first detailed remarks from Mrs. Schumacher in almost five years, since her husband awoke from a coma and was taken to be cared for at his house in Gland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Recently there have been suggestions that Schumacher would soon be moved to a clinic in the US for round-the-clock treatment, but his representatives have refused to confirm or deny.

The couple have been married for 24 years, after meeting at a Ferrari party, and have two children: Gina-Maria, 21, and 19-year-old Mick, the reigning European Formula Three champion, who graduates this season to Formula Two with Italian team Prema.

The family’s decision to conceal medical specifics about Schumacher has been criticised in some quarters, not least by his former manager Willi Weber, who argues that the issue is one of compelling public interest. But Ross Brawn, former technical director at Ferrari and among the family’s closest confidants, said: “I am constantly in touch with Corinna, and I totally agree with their decision. Michael has always been a very private person. It’s completely understandable that Corinna has wanted to maintain the same approach, even after the tragic event, and it’s a decision we must all respect.”