Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher is in critical condition after a skiing accident in the French Alps.  The 44-year old German was skiing off-piste and although he was wearing a helmet, his head hit a rock and he suffered a serious brain injury.

Earlier reports said Schumacher supposedly walked away from the accident near the Meribel ski resort, and was attended to by two ski patrollers.  But he was later moved to the University of Grenoble Hospital in Southeast France.

“He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation,” read a statement from the Grenoble Hospital, co-signed by the family’s neurosurgeon Professor Gerard Saillant, a brain and spinal injury expert who is also president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Institute. 

His fellows from the Formula 1 world reacted with shock and hope. 

“If anyone can pull through, it’s him,” said Britain's triple Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti, who is still walking on crutches after a huge crash in October that ended his racing career.

“Come on Michael, give us one of those race stints at pure qualifying pace to win through, like you used to. You can do it,” tweeted Schumacher's former Benetton teammate Martin Brundle.

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa posted a picture of himself and Schumacher on Instagram, with the Portuguese caption, “I’m praying for God to protect you, brother!”