Michael Schumacher reaches the half-century mark on this day and the tributes will be pouring in, starting with the opening of a special exhibit at the Ferrari Museum dedicated to the F1 legend.
Schumacher's outstanding career holds no secrets for die-hard F1 fans, but as a tribute to his achievements and to his memory, we offer 21 pictures - well, 22 actually, but who's counting? - that revisit his life in Grand Prix racing's fast lane.
It all started at Spa in August of 1991, a track Michael Schumacher had never raced on, where the German replaced Jordan Grand Prix's regular driver Bertrand Gachot. The young German was forced out of the race on the opening lap but his performance in qualifying left no doubt about his skills.more
Parallel to his F1 debut in 1991, Schumacher drove for Sauber-Mercedes in Group C.
Schumacher's first win came in 1992 at Spa with Benetton, 12 months after his F1 debut.
Schumacher clinched his second F1 win at Estoril in 1993.
In a season of all dangers, marked by the death of Ayrton Senna, Schumacher emerged victorious in 1994, winning his maiden F1 title by a single point after a close battle with Damon Hill.
Michael Schumacher and Flavio Briatore enjoyed a close relationship at Benetton for several seasons, a bit too close according to some with allegations of cheating swirling around the paddock in '94, with a nonlegal traction control system at the center of the suspicions.more
Michael married Corinna Betsch in August, 1995. The couple have two children, daughter Gina-Marie, born in 1997 and who is an established horse rider, and Mick of course, born in 1999 and who is well on his way to follow his father's path to F1.more
In 1994, Flavio Briatore had acquired an interest in the Ligier F1 team, an involvement that led to Schumacher testing a JS39B-Renault at Estoril at the end of the season.
Schumacher left Benetton after 1995 and headed to the House of Maranello, winning his first race with Ferrari in torrential rain at Barcelona in June 1996.
Schumacher was fortunately spared any serious injuries during his amazing career, but his accident at Silverstone in 1999 left him with a broken leg and out of contention for a championship won by his great rival Mika Hakkinen.more
It took the better part of four years for Ferrari's dream team to gel under the guidance of Jean Todt and a support crew that included master strategist Ross Brawn and designer Rory Byrne, with Schumacher representing the final link. But once the Scuderia was on its rails, it was the start of an amazing period of dominance.more
A big football fan Schumacher was fairly handy on the pitch in his role as… a striker, what else? Here he is in 1999, playing with the drivers' squad during a benefit match in Monaco.
The famous Schumacher jump was delivered nine times in 2000, the year of his first world crown with Ferrari.
Those team mates that measured up against the great Schumacher were few and far between, but Rubens Barrichello's efforts during his tenure alongside the German ace weren't without merit.
Wherever one found Schumacher, Willi Weber was never far away. The shrewd German manager looked after his protégé's interests with great success, bringing fortune to both.
Michael Schumacher retired - for the first time - from F1 at the end of the 2006 season. To keep his competitive juices flowing, he tried his hand at motorcycle racing in a few minor races. In 2005, when he was still racing for Ferrari, he tested a Ducati MotoGP at Mugello, and showed some impressive speed. His two-wheel passion would remain a hobby however.more
Schumacher just had too many engines ringing in his ears to keep away from F1. In 2010, he hopped back on board the Grand Prix bandwagon with Mercedes.
At the 2010 Hungarian Grand Prix, Williams' Rubens Barrichello was reminded of the ruthlessness of his former Ferrari team mate when Schumacher squeezed the Brazilian against the wall. Not Schumi's finest hour.more
Schumacher's only podium in his second life in F1 came at Valencia in 2012 where he finished third behind Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen.
Today, Michael Schumacher's natural heir is his son Mick of course, but the F1 legend saw Sebastian Vettel as his de facto successor once he left F1 at the end of 2012. That year, at the Race of Champions event held in Bangkok, the two men formed Team Germany's invincible pair.more
Phillip van Osten
Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.