Film about seven-time F1 champion Schumacher to release this year

Titled SCHUMACHER, the film is backed by a major production company and features interviews with Michael's father Rolf, his wife Corinna, his children Gina and Mick, and many of the key players in his career, along with unseen archive footage.

The film is currently in post-production, and is being made by award-winning German filmmakers Michael Wech and Hanns-Bruno Kammertons - who have previously collaborated on documentaries about tennis star Boris Becker and musician Udo Jurgens.

The film is being produced by Benjamin Seikel and Vanessa Nocker of B/14 FILM, along with DCM, which will be responsible for the film's release in Germany.

London-based Rocket Science is executive producing and handling international sales, and will begin to market it at the Cannes film festival.

Rocket Science said the film will "explore the many facets of this complex man - the merciless Formula 1 driver, the ambitious boy with the dream, the down-to-earth mechanic, the dependable team player, and the devoted friend and father".

"It is an important year for Michael Schumacher - with his 50th birthday in January and the 25th anniversary of his first world championship victory in November," said producer Seikel.

"We are thrilled to have the trusting co-operation of Michael Schumacher's family and management; without their support this film would not have been possible."

Nocker added: "It is time for a film. And it goes without saying that we are very much aware of the great responsibility we bear here."

Sabine Kehm of Schumacher's management team said the family is fully behind he project.

"Michael's outstanding career deserves to be celebrated 25 years after he achieved his first out of seven world championship titles," she said.

"We are happy this film will be in the hands of such ambitious and sensitive professionals."