Ferrari to hold silent vigil for Michael Schumacher on his 45th birthday

Formula One side Ferrari has said fans of comatose driving legend Michael Schumacher will hold a 'silent vigil' for the seven-time world champion to mark his 45th birthday on Friday.

The German, who had been skiing off-piste in a French resort with his son and friends when he fell and hit his head last Sunday, is in a medically-induced coma, although he remains in a stable but a critical condition, according to his manager.

The BBC reports that Ferrari clubs from France and Italy will gather outside the hospital, where Schumacher is being treated, in the French city of Grenoble in the morning, with most of them wearing red jumpers or caps with the Ferrari logo.

A Ferrari spokesman said people were being encouraged to dress in red and bring flags, as 'a sign of closeness to Schumacher, done in a very respectful way', although he insisted that the event was not about promoting the Ferrari brand or its clients, and added that they will make sure they are sensitive at this difficult time.

Schumacher's family, who has been at his bedside since his accident, earlier thanked fans for their 'great support' and described the German as a 'fighter'.