Ferrari and Mercedes, who both worked with seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher over the course of his career, have each issued statements wishing their former driver well.
It was at Ferrari that Schumacher (pictured, from 2004) claimed five consecutive World Championships from 2000 to 2004 and became the most dominant driver of his era.
Following his first retirement in 2006, Schumacher would eventually return to the sport with Mercedes for a three-year run from 2010 to 2012 before leaving F1 for a second time.
“Everyone at Ferrari has been in a state of anxiety since hearing about Michael Schumacher’s accident,” said the Scuderia’s statement from Maranello. “That includes the president, Luca di Montezemolo, who through the Scuderia team principal Stefano Domenicali is in constant contact with the family and those close to the German champion.
“Montezemolo has offered his encouragement and support at this very difficult time, with the hope that better news will come soon.”
In its own statement, Mercedes said its team was “shocked” to learn of the severe injuries sustained by Schumacher in a skiing accident Sunday in France.
Schumacher remains in critical condition and is in an induced coma at a hospital in the French city of Grenoble.
“Following the serious injuries sustained by Michael Schumacher in a skiing accident yesterday in France, the thoughts and sympathies of all at Mercedes-Benz Motorsport and the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team are with Michael, his family and friends,” the statement said.
“We have been shocked to learn that he is in a critical condition and are closely monitoring the latest medical bulletins from Grenoble. We all know the depth of Michael’s fighting spirit and send him all our strength and support in this latest battle. We sincerely hope that he will make a full recovery and will be with us again soon.”