The family of injured Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher has thanked fans for their "great support" on his 45th Birthday. "We all know he is a fighter and will not give up," reported BBC citing the family in an online statement.

Schumacher, who turned 45 on Friday, remains in a stable but critical condition, his manager said earlier.

The most successful F1 racer in history is in a medically induced coma in hospital in Grenoble, after a skiing accident in the French Alps. He was skiing off-piste when he fell and hit his head on Sunday. His helmet cracked on impact after hitting a rock.

The Ferrari F1 team where Schumacher spent many years announced it would on Friday hold a "silent gathering" in front of the Grenoble hospital for the birthday of the retired sportsman, who is being kept in an induced coma.

Schumacher's accident has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fans shocked to see their idol hovering so close to death after having cheated it so many times on the racing track.

Its sad.

he is a very good driver.

Do you know his condition?