Michael Schumacher's Family Issue New Statement About Injury Recovery

Michael Schumacher's family have said they "remain optimistic" for hopes of his recovery from devastating head injuries.

In a rare public statement, relatives of the stricken F1 legend said they are "hoping for the best" as they come to terms with Schumacher's devastating life-changing injuries.

They wrote on a new website dedicated to Schumacher's on-track achievements, which has been launched in time for the 20<sup>th anniversary of his maiden world title.

The website - at michael-shumacher.de - carries the strap line: 'Winning is a state of mind."

His family members said in a statement: "We remain optimistic and hope for the best for Michael. Your strength helps us to continue to support him in his fight."

Fans have been invited to contribute and share their stories and memories of Schumacher's races for Benneton, Ferrari and also Mercedes.

Hailing the outpouring of support from around the word, Schumacher's family told well-wishers it had left them "speechless".

"We can only say thank you again and again," they wrote.

Unveiling the website, Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehn said: "To mark the 20th anniversary of his first world champion title we will reactivate Michael's homepage. We hope to thus give the many fans from all over the world, whose sympathy is still unbroken after his accident, a home."

Life will never be the same for the seven-time F1 title winner, after he cracked his head on a rock in the French Alps resort of Meribel.

Schumacher spent nearly a year under close care in hospital and is now being cared for at home by his family, who have reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on special equipment for him.