Schumacher's family at his bedside; fans to hold 'silent' birthday vigil

To Michael Schumacher’s fervent fans the seven time world champion will always be simply the best - a giant whose fame transcends the sport and whose name is familiar even to those with scant passion for motor racing.

-Michael Schumacher won't give up, says family

-Michael Schumacher has shown slight improvement: Doctors

'Schumi', 'Schuey', 'The Red Baron', 'Der Weltmeister' (world champion): The German won an unprecedented 91 races and set record after record including five titles in a row with glamour team Ferrari between 2000 and 2004.

The prayers and tide of goodwill messages continue to pour in as the most successful F1 racer in history lies in critical condition in hospital in Grenoble after a skiing accident in the French Alps.

Fans of Michael Schumacher will hold a ‘silent’ vigil for the injured Formula 1 driver to mark his 45th birthday on Friday, Ferrari says.

Ferrari clubs from France and Italy are to gather outside his hospital in the French city of Grenoble in the morning.

Ferrari, Schumacher's former driving team, said buses had been organised to transport the Italian and French fans to Grenoble for the tribute.

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.

Michael Schumacher's family has been at his bedside since his accident and Friday is likely to be an especially difficult day as the Formula 1 driver turns 45.

Doctors confirmed on Tuesday that Schumacher had shown signs of improvement, but was still "not out of danger".

Schumacher was in a stable condition on Wednesday, three days after suffering brain injuries in a skiing accident, his agent Sabine Kehm said outside the hospital treating him.

Kehm urged journalists to respect the 44-year-old German's privacy after security guards said they had intercepted a journalist disguised as a priest trying to get into Schumacher's room.