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Michael Schumacher 'will not give up' - family Michael Schumacher fans to hold 'silent' birthday vigil
(about 5 hours later)
The family of injured Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher has thanked fans for their "great support". Fans of Michael Schumacher will hold a "silent" vigil for the injured Formula 1 driver to mark his 45th birthday on Friday, Ferrari says.
"We all know he is a fighter and will not give up," the family said in an online statement. Ferrari clubs from France and Italy are to gather outside his hospital in the French city of Grenoble in the morning.
The most successful F1 racer in history is in a medically induced coma in hospital in Grenoble, after a skiing accident in the French Alps. Schumacher's family earlier thanked fans for their "great support" and described the German as a "fighter".
Schumacher, who turns 45 on Friday, remains in a stable but critical condition, his manager said earlier. The most successful F1 racer in history is in a medically induced coma after a skiing accident in the French Alps.
The German had been skiing off-piste when he fell and hit his head on Sunday. His helmet cracked on impact after hitting a rock. He remains in a stable but critical condition, his manager has said.
The German had been skiing off-piste when he fell and hit his head last Sunday. His helmet cracked on impact after hitting a rock.
Doctors confirmed on Tuesday that Schumacher had shown signs of improvement, but was still "not out of danger".Doctors confirmed on Tuesday that Schumacher had shown signs of improvement, but was still "not out of danger".
They ruled out giving a prognosis for his condition in the coming days and months.They ruled out giving a prognosis for his condition in the coming days and months.
But it is medically possible for someone to spend several weeks in an induced coma and fully recover from it.But it is medically possible for someone to spend several weeks in an induced coma and fully recover from it.
'Silent' birthday vigil 'Sign of closeness'
International messages of support have been pouring in for the popular race driver. Ferrari, Schumacher's former driving team, said buses had been organised to transport the Italian and French fans to Grenoble for the tribute.
Schumacher's family thanked "people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for his recovery". They are expected to arrive on Friday morning.
The statement was released a day ahead of the race driver's birthday. Ferrari spokesman Renato Bisignani said people were being encouraged to dress in red and bring flags, as "a sign of closeness to Michael Schumacher, done in a very respectful way".
Ferrari, Schumacher's former driving team, said fans planned to hold a "silent" vigil outside his hospital on Friday.
Ferrari spokesman Renato Bisignani told the BBC that local Ferrari clubs from France and Italy would travel on buses to Grenoble for the tribute.
Mr Bisignani said people were being encouraged to dress in red and bring flags, as "a sign of closeness to Michael Schumacher, done in a very respectful way".
But the spokesman insisted that the event was not about promoting the Ferrari brand or its clients.But the spokesman insisted that the event was not about promoting the Ferrari brand or its clients.
"We will make sure we remain sensitive at this difficult time," he said."We will make sure we remain sensitive at this difficult time," he said.
International messages of support have been pouring in for the popular race driver.
On Thursday, Schumacher's family thanked "people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for his recovery".
"We all know he is a fighter and will not give up," the family said in an online statement.
Michael Schumacher retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.Michael Schumacher retired from F1 for a second time in 2012.
He won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during his 19-year career.He won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during his 19-year career.
The driver won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.The driver won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.
He retired in 2006 but managed to recover and made a comeback in F1 with Mercedes in 2010.He retired in 2006 but managed to recover and made a comeback in F1 with Mercedes in 2010.
After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of last year.After three seasons which yielded just one podium finish, he quit the sport at the end of last year.