The seven-time world champion remains in an induced coma in a hospital in the French town of Grenoble after suffering critical head injuries from a skiing accident on Sunday.

His personal assistant, Sabine Kehm, released the statement on behalf of the German's family - his wife Corinna and children Gina-Marie and Mick - saying: ''We would like to thank the medical team we know will do anything to help Michael.

''We also thank the people in the world who have expressed their sympathy and sent their best wishes for the recovery of Michael.

''We would ask the media to respect our privacy and that of our friends, and thank them for their support.''

Doctors offered a grim assessment of Schumacher's injuries, but no prognosis.

''We cannot predict the future for Michael Schumacher,'' Jean-Francois Payen, the doctor in charge of Grenoble University Hospital's intensive care unit, said. ''He is in a critical state in terms of cerebral resuscitation. We are working hour by hour.''

Doctors lowered his body temperature to between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius as part of the coma, which rests the brain and slows its metabolism to help reduce inflammation.

Payen said that after the fall, Schumacher was not in a ''normal state of consciousness''. He did not respond to questions, and his limbs appeared to move involuntarily.

Reports indicate his father, Rolf, and brother, Ralf - himself a former grand prix driver - are also at the hospital.

Schumacher's fight for life has generated support from high-profile people, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former US president Bill Clinton.

Merkel said she was ''extremely shocked, along with millions of Germans'' to learn of Schumacher's condition, adding: ''We hope, along with Michael Schumacher and his family, that his injuries will heal and he will recover. We wish his wife, his children and the rest of his family strength and mutual support.''

Clinton tweeted: ''Thinking of Michael Schumacher and grateful for all he's done w/@clintonfdn and for others. My prayers are with him and his family.''

Schumacher's compatriot, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, told reporters: ''I am shocked and hope Michael will be fine as soon as possible. I wish his family a lot of strength now.''

Even arch-rival Damon Hill, whom the German barged out of the way in the 1994 Australian Grand Prix to win the first of his seven world titles, offered support.

''We are all praying for Michael's speedy and full recovery,'' Hill said.

With AP