MICHAEL Schumacher's son has shared a touching tribute to his F1 legend father as the stricken start turned 54.
The seven-time world champion has not been seen or heard from since a horror ski crash back in 2013.
His son Mick, 23, took to Instagram as the motorsport world marked the Ferrari and Mercedes legend's birthday on January 3.
He shared a touching photo of dad and son smiling as they posed inside a picture frame.
"Happy birthday to the best Dad ever ❤️ love you!," wrote Mick.
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The post received hundreds of thousands of likes in just a few hours.
Fans and wellwishers also posted messages of support for Schuey.
The F1 legend's health remains a closely guarded secret by the family, with very little information being made public.
Michael's last F1 team, Mercedes, posted a single heart on the picture shared by Mick.
Mick - who is also a racing driver - recently signed for the team as a reserve driver, being the backup to Brit duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
Ferrari engineer Gino Rosato also replied to Mick's post, replying "Happy Birthday" with three hearts.
He also posted his own tribute to Michael.
"Time passes but certain things never change", wrote Gino.
"You are still the Greatest of All Time !! Some drove the best cars , you drove the best races !! Always in my heart."
He shared a picture of Michael smiling as the pair posed together with champagne bottles.
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Days before on Christmas Eve, Mick had also shared a touching family photo showing him sitting alongside his mum Corinna and sister Gina-Maria.
Fans also responded to the message, noticing the horrible absence of Michael.
Michael suffered a traumatic brain injury while skiing with the then teen Mick near Meribel, France, on December 29, 2013.
Doctors battled to save his life and put him in a medically induced coma.
Since then he is said to have regained consciousness - but his family has kept details of his health a closely-guarded secret.
After leaving hospital, he was reportedly cared for by a private medical team at his home in Switzerland.
Only a few close friends are allowed to visit him.
The lack of official updates on Michael's health has left room for speculation and conflicting reports from "insiders" about his slow progress.
Some have claimed he was in a vegetative state while others claimed he was awake and able to talk.
Schumacher's pal ex-F1 boss Jean Todt - who is understood be one of few friends who goes to see the stricken driver - gave a rare update in July 2022.
The 74-year-old told German TV channel RTL: "I don't miss Michael, I see him. Yes, it's true, I watch races with Michael.
"But sure, I guess what I miss is what we used to do together."
The former Ferrari chief previously told how he "hopes the world" will be able to see his dear friend again, revealing Schumacher has "never changed".
He continued: "I don't leave him alone. Him, Corinna, the family, we've had so many experiences together.
"The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and it goes on.
"Sometimes success and money changes you. But Michael has never changed. He's so strong."
The F1 legend was a seven-time-world champion - winning five times for Ferrari and twice for Benetton - and is regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
He raced from 1991 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012, winning 91 races.
And the brief second act of his career saw him become instrumental in setting up Lewis Hamilton's dominant Mercedes team.
