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Michael Schumacher fans hold birthday vigil | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Fans of Michael Schumacher are converging on a French hospital to mark the injured F1 legend's 45th birthday. | |
Ferrari clubs from France and Italy are gathering outside his hospital in the city of Grenoble. | |
On Thursday Schumacher's family thanked fans for their "great support" and described the German as a "fighter". | |
The most successful Formula 1 driver in history is in a medically induced coma after suffering head injuries while skiing in the French Alps on Sunday. | |
He remains in a stable but critical condition, his manager has said. | He remains in a stable but critical condition, his manager has said. |
Supporters plan to hold a one-minute silence outside the hospital at 13:00 local time (12:00 GMT). | |
The German champion, who retired in 2012, had been skiing off-piste when he fell and hit his head. His helmet cracked on impact after hitting a rock. | |
Ferrari - the racing team with which Schumacher had 72 of his 91 F1 wins - said in a statement that it wanted to send him very special wishes for his birthday as he tackles "the most important fight of his life". | |
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. |
'Sign of closeness' | 'Sign of closeness' |
Ferrari said buses had been organised to transport the Italian and French fans to Grenoble for the tribute. | |
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". | |
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 former champion. | |
Schumacher's family thanked "people from all around the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for his recovery" in an online statement released on Thursday. | |
"We all know he is a fighter and will not give up," the family said. | |
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. |