Mercedes: Schumacher was "founding father" and key to F1 dominance

Mercedes AMG F1 team boss Toto Wolff has described Michael Schumacher as the "founding father" of the Silver Arrows' Formula 1 domination, with the seven-time world champion celebrating his 50th birthday today.

Schumacher came out of retirement in 2010 to join the relaunched works Mercedes project. Although he only managed one podium finish during his three-year spell with the team, Wolff believes his contribution was much greater than just on-the-track.

"Michael is one of the founding fathers of the success we have had in the last five years," Wolff told Motorsport.com. "There is no other driver like him and his vast experience contributed tremendously in the development of our team.

Schumacher suffered severe head injuries at the end of 2013, in a skiing accident, and has not been in the public eye since the accident. His family issued a statement earlier in the week with his 50th birthday coming up.

"We want to remember and celebrate his victories, his records and his jubilation," the statement read. "You can be sure that he is in the best of hands. Please understand if we are following Michael's wishes and keeping a sensitive subject as health, as it always has been, in privacy.