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Michael Schumacher's 50th birthday marked by celebrations, privacy

Against the backdrop of celebrations marking Michael Schumacher's 50th birthday on Thursday, the medical condition of Formula One's most successful driver remains just as fiercely guarded by his close family. More than five years after a near-fatal brain injury in a skiing accident, the seven-time F1 champion continues to be cared for in total secrecy at home in the quiet Swiss town of Gland on the shores of Lake Geneva. He has been there since being transferred from a hospital in September 2014. "You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him," Schumacher's family said in a rare statement Wednesday. "Please understand if we are following Michael's wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy." It was while skiing with his teenage son Mick in the French Alps at Meribel that Schumacher fell on Dec. 29, 2013. He hit the right side of his head on a rock, splitting open his helmet. Doctors at Grenoble hospital removed blood clots, but others were left untouched because they were too deeply embedded in his brain. With unsourced stories abounding, updates on his condition went from scarce to non-existent as his family closed ranks around him . But the family understands the level of devotion toward Schumacher from his legions of fans. Coinciding with his birthday, the family is releasing the Official Michael Schumacher App offering a virtual museum tour of his greatest achievements. "The app is another milestone in our effort to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments," the statement said. Seven titles Many of those accomplishments were with Ferrari, where the German driving ace won five of his seven F1 titles, in 2000 through 2004. (He won with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.) Ferrari is honoring his 50th with a special museum exhibition of his achievements at its Maranello headquarters in northern Italy. His stature is Ferrari folklore is immense, while his impact on F1 is unparalleled with perhaps the exception of the late Brazilian great Ayrton Senna. Schumacher's winners' aura was perhaps unfairly viewed from the outside as cold and distant, when in essence he was incredibly appreciative of those he worked closely with. In 2000, he delivered Ferrari from years of frustration with a first world title since Jody Scheckter in 1979.

This 1967 Ferrari 275 is Jay Leno's teenage dream car

Jay Leno isn't a major Ferrari fan, even going as far as taking a Lamborghini over one in the past. But in this episode of Jay Leno's garage, he reveals his soft spot for the 275 GTB/4. This Ferrari was one of his dream cars from his teen years. Thanks to David Lee, a watch dealer and the car's owner, Leno gets that chance. Sometimes your heroes meet their heroes. Throughout the video, Leno gushes about the car. From the 3.3-liter V12 engine, to the graceful body work, he doesn't have a single negative word about it. Leno's praise also centers on the simplicity and purpose of this particular machine. It has plain and simple gauges, the only comfort feature is power windows, and it has a classic gated manual transmission. Leno also highlights how the car doesn't compromise its design; The only purpose of the styling is to please the eye. So check out the video above to see Leno fall in love with this red Ferrari. It's worth watching just to hear the V12 breathe deeply through its six carburetors. Related Video:

Ferrari names Edwin Fenech head of North American office

Ferrari North America has been sailing without a captain for the past several months since its previous chief executive, Marco Mattiacci, was called home to Italy to run the Scuderia. But now the Italian automaker has announced a new capo to run the office in New Jersey, and his name is Edwin Fenech.
Not to be confused with the French-Italian actress Edwige Fenech (who obviously showed up in our research before the Ferrari exec did), Edwin Fenech has a long history of running regional offices for the Prancing Horse marque. Prior to making the jump to the North American division, Fenech ran the company's operations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and China, and previously served as sales and marketing director for France and sales manager for all of Europe.
Now in charge of Ferrari's largest market, Fenech will be responsible for expanding the company's presence not only in the United States - in which Ferrari has been present now for sixty years - but also in Canada as well as Central and South America.