Schumacher 'still critical' as police examine helmet camera

The existence of a camera in Schumacher's helmet emerged late on Friday, with authorities in Grenoble examining the equipment to see if it can shed any further light on what happened to the seven-times F1 champion.

It is not yet known if the camera was on at the time of the incident, or if it survived the accident.

Police have also interviewed Schumacher's teenage son, with whom he was skiing when the accident occurred in Meribel.

Schumacher turned 45 on Friday, and was visited in hospital by his wife while thousands of fans held a vigil outside the hospital where he is being treated.

Doctors treating the German superstar have not issued any official update on his condition since New Year's Eve, but his manager Sabine Kehm said via email on Friday that he remained in a stable, but still critical, condition.

Kehm's email statement came in response to reporter's questions about comments from former F1 driver Philippe Sttreiff, who said on Friday that a mutual friend of his and Schumacher's, Dr Gerard Saillant, claimed that "Michael's life is not in danger any more."

The medical team have been careful to remind fans around the world that Schumacher's life is still at risk, though one of the doctors did add during a press conference earlier in the week that continued stability is a positive step even if there are as yet no other signs of improvement.

Schumacher's family, meanwhile, have issued a statement saying that they have been "overwhelmed" by the outpouring of sympathy from across the globe:

"The incredible sympathies shown today by the Ferrari fans outside the hospital has utterly overwhelmed us and moved us all to tears," the statement said.

"We are deeply grateful for it and also for all the heartwarming and heartfelt wishes for Michael to get well soon, which have reached us from all over the world."