Michael Schumacher's spokeswoman has issued a statement following the seven-time Formula 1 driver's skiing accident earlier today.

The German, who retired from F1 for the second time at the end of the 2012 season, was airlifted to hospital in France after sustaining a head injury in the Alps.

The statement said: "Michael fell on his head when he was on a private skiing trip in the French Alps. He was taken to hospital and is receiving professional medical attention.

"We ask for understanding that we cannot give out continuous information about his health. He was wearing a helmet and was not alone. No one else was involved in the fall."

The director of the resort where Schumacher was skiing earlier confirmed that the 44-year-old remained conscious following the incident.