Michael Schumacher is responding to treatment and will recover from his brain injuries, the former Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has said.

It had recently been suggested that the condition of the seven-time Formula One world champion was getting worse following his 2013 skiing accident.

Mr di Montezemolo said himself in February that Schumacher’s health was “not good”.

However, the man who was Ferrari chairman when Schumacher won five consecutive world titles between 2000 and 2004, offered renewed hope to fans of the German superstar on Monday.

“I’m very pleased to know that he is reacting," he told Ecumenical News.

“I know how strong he is. I’m sure that thanks to his determination, which will be crucial, he will come out from this very, very difficult situation.”