Michael Schumacher’s 45th birthday has been observed by hundreds of Ferrari fans outside the hospital where the German remains in an artificially-induced coma following a skiing accident at the weekend.
Some 200 people from Ferrari fan clubs based around Europe made the trip to the Grenoble University Hospital, where a silent vigil was held in support of the seven-time Formula One world champion.
Schumacher, who was left with major head injuries in Sunday’s accident in the French Alps, enjoys a special place in the hearts of all Ferrari fans, having won the world title for five successive years between 2000 and 2004 while driving for the Scuderia.
Seventy-two of his record 91 grand prix wins also came at the wheel of Ferrari cars, and the Italian team have been at the forefront of the efforts to pay tribute to the stricken champion, whose condition was described earlier this week as critical but stable.
Supporters who had made the journey to the hospital held a one-minute silence outside on Friday afternoon.
Schumacher’s family said they were “overwhelmed”.
In a message posted on Schumacher’s website, his family wrote: “We are overwhelmed! The incredible sympathies shown today by the Ferrari fans outside the hospital has utterly overwhelmed us and moved us all to tears.
“We are deeply grateful for it and also for all the heart-warming and heartfelt wishes for Michael to get well soon, which have reached us from all over the world.”
A Ferrari statement read: “This is a special day for Ferrari and all its fans as it is Michael Schumacher’s ‘ birthday.
“At the moment, he is tackling the most important fight of his life and therefore we want to send him very special wishes.
“Everyone at Ferrari, from president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali, who are in touch all the time with Michael’s family and those closest to him, are continuously watching how his situation evolves.
“Obviously, today there are double the reasons to wish him all the best. Forza Michael!”
No update was given on Schumacher’s condition by the hospital or his management on Thursday and that remained the case yesterday as well.
Schumacher’s family made a statement on Thursday in which they insisted the most successful driver in F1 history “is a fighter and will not give up”.
Schumacher suffered major brain trauma in the accident when skiing off-piste in Meribel in France.