This weekend, supporters commemorate Michael Schumacher's Formula One debut 24 years ago. Schumacher, who was 22 years old at the time, replaced Bertrand Gachot at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix. The German driver took seventh place on the qualifying grid, behind racing greats such as Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Gerhard Berger and Ayrton Senna.
Michael Schumacher
"That guy's got a special talent. He could become a threat to us," said race winner Senna, when asked about the new German driver. Schumacher took his first world title just three years later, and his seventh season title with Ferrari in 2004.
Schumacher is still recovering from a serious skiing accident that took place in 2013. The 46-year-old was placed in a medically induced coma for six months to help his body cope with the injuries, and thereafter recovered at a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland before moving home. There he remains, while the Schumacher family closely guard their privacy in this difficult time.
Fans have been flooding social networks with photos and videos of Schumacher's 1991 F1 debut, and continue to share messages of hope and support alongside the hashtag #KeepFightingMichael