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Michael Schumacher fans to hold 'silent' birthday vigil Michael Schumacher fans hold birthday vigil
(about 9 hours later)
Fans of Michael Schumacher will hold a "silent" vigil for the injured Formula 1 driver to mark his 45th birthday on Friday, Ferrari says. 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 to gather outside his hospital in the French city of Grenoble in the morning. Ferrari clubs from France and Italy are gathering outside his hospital in the city of Grenoble.
Schumacher's family earlier thanked fans for their "great support" and described the German as a "fighter". On Thursday Schumacher's family thanked fans for their "great support" and described the German as a "fighter".
The most successful F1 racer in history is in a medically induced coma after a skiing accident in the French Alps. 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.
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. 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, Schumacher's former driving team, said buses had been organised to transport the Italian and French fans to Grenoble for the tribute. Ferrari said buses had been organised to transport the Italian and French fans to Grenoble for the tribute.
They are expected to arrive on Friday morning. 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 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 popular race driver. International messages of support have been pouring in for the former champion.
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". 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 in an online statement. "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.