Michael Schumacher spent the night in the Northampton Hospital in a stable condition, after his operation on the tibia\fibula of his right leg, where he suffered two clean fractures in a crash at the British Grand Prix yesterday.

The hospital's Chief executive, David Wilson, said today in a press conference that, "Michael Schumacher had a comfortable night. He is taking fluids and had a good breakfast. His wounds are healing well and he is moving his legs. He will stay at the hospital at least until tomorrow.

"We have people with broken legs in the hospital all the time, and it was fairly routine. the only thing that's not routine is that so many people are interested in one particular patient today."

Wilson added that the normal healing time for an injury such as Schumacher's "is between 12 to 16 weeks," but added that this period "applies to normal everyday man like you and me." However, as Schumacher is regarded as one of the fittest drivers in Formula One, his doctors estimate that he is likely to miss the next six to eight weeks of action.

Ferrari manager, Jean Todt, who stayed the night next to Schumacher, along with Schumacher's brother Ralf, told the press conference that Schumacher was rather lucky to just have a clean break on his right leg. "A few years ago I would have feared the worst for him but thanks to all the safety improvements over the past few years his injury was not as bad as it would have been then," Todt said.

Todt was confident that Schumacher will be back in the Ferrari cockpit before the end of the season. "He has a good spirit and a strong will," he said. Todt refused to comment on who will replace Schumacher during his absence and said a formal announcement will be made later this week.