The chief executive at Yas Marina Circuit, where Michael Schumacher raced three times for Mercedes in the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before his retirement from racing, was among those hoping for a recovery by the critically injured German.
"It's dreadful, it's hard to believe," Richard Cregan said on Monday night from Dublin. "Shocking and a very sad situation.
"All we can do is to wish for him a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with his family.
"One of the things top sportsmen have is an ability to fight and they are better-equipped, mentally, than most. In a dark situation, that is maybe a glimmer of light and a possible advantage he has on his side."
Like many fans and officials in the Formula One fraternity, Cregan spent much of the day on Monday watching for updates on Schumacher's condition. Late on Monday night, the retired driver's condition was described as "critical". He was in an induced coma following brain surgery at the University Hospital of Grenoble in Switzerland, following a crash while skiing in France on Sunday.
"Every time I check the internet, the news seems to be getting worse rather than better," Cregan said. "It's dreadful. I'm sure it happens to people every day, but when it happens to such a prominent person and prominent sports person, it's very, very sad.
"He's raced at Yas, and he was a fantastic driver."
Schumacher first competed in Abu Dhabi in 2010, when he was knocked out on the first lap; in 2011, when he finished seventh; and in 2012, when he was 11th in his third-to-last F1 race.
Sebastian Vettel, the reigning world champion, said Schumacher was his inspiration.
"I am shocked and I hope that he gets better as quickly as possible," the four-time champion Vettel told www.bild.de. "I wish his family much strength."
Ferrari, with whom Schumacher won five world titles from 2000 to 2004, expressed their support in a statement on their official website.
It read: "Everyone at Ferrari has been in a state of anxiety since hearing about Michael Schumacher's accident. 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."
The German raced for Mercedes for three seasons on his return to the sport following his first retirement. The German manufacturer said in a statement that their "thoughts and sympathies" were with him, his family and his friends. It added: "We all know the depth of Michael's fighting spirit and send him all our strength and support in this latest battle."
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, was said to be "very shocked" by Schumacher's condition.
Schumacher's former Benetton teammate Martin Brundle told Sky TV: "He's only a year out of the F1 cockpit but as a driven and competitive person you can't simply switch off and settle down at the end of a long career.
"You need challenges and achievements to keep the adrenalin flowing. But from what I read he wasn't taking undue risks on the ski slopes, and it seems he's been very unlucky on this one. The need for machinery and speed will always be there, it's inevitable.
"When I read that Michael had received a blow to the right side of his head I couldn't help but think of Ayrton [Senna, a champion driver killed in a race accident in 1994] and pondered why these things so often happen to the truly great.
"I sincerely hope and expect, of course, that this incident has a much happier ending."
With additional reporting from agencies
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
