Michael Schumacher's wife, brother and father have arrived at his hospital in Grenoble, France, on his 45th birthday.
The seven-time Formula One champion remains in an induced coma after suffering serious head injuries in a skiing accident last weekend.
Fans of Schumacher will observe a silent vigil on Friday to mark his birthday, and the Ferrari team, with whom Schumacher won a record five drivers' titles in a row between 2000 and 2004, have organised a 'silent march' in support of their former driver.
Schumacher family arrive at hospital
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Fans of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher put signs with messages of support and banners of F1 Ferrari team, on January 3, 2014, in front of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre, to mark the 45th birthday of the former pilot. Formula One legend is to turn 45 today while lying comatose in a French hospital after suffering critical head injuries in a ski accident. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(02 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher and surgeon and professor Gerard Saillant arrive at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(03 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(04 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ralf Schumacher, the brother of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his brother. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(06 of33)
Ralf Schumacher, the brother of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his brother. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(07 of33)
Rolf Schumacher, the father of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his son. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(08 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 2, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(09 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 2, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(10 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Sabine Kehm, manager of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where he remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Rolf Schumacher, the father of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his son. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(12 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Sabine Kehm, manager of the former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where he remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(13 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 2, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Corinna Schumacher (3rd L), the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant (L), to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(15 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Sabine Kehm, manager of the former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where he remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(16 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(17 of33)
Corinna Schumacher, the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(18 of33)
Corinna Schumacher (C), the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant (L), to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(19 of33)
Corinna Schumacher, the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant (L), to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(20 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(21 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(22 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(23 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Rolf Schumacher, father of Michael Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where his son, the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(24 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(25 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(26 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Ralf Schumacher, brother of Michael Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(27 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(28 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(29 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Ralf Schumacher, brother of Michael Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(30 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(31 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(32 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Rolf Schumacher, father of Michael Schumacher (L) and his brother Ralf arrive at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(33 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Rolf Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher (R), father and brother of Michael Schumacher and arrive at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The march is certain to be a sombre and poignant occasion although those present will hope the day will bring encouraging news on the German, who is in a critical but stable condition.
Michael Schumacher Skiing Accident: Fans To Mark F1 Legend's 45th Birthday
No update was given on Schumacher's condition by the hospital or his management on Thursday, which indicated that there had been no change, although his family did make their first statement since the accident in which they insisted the most successful driver in F1 history "will not give up" his fight for life.