F1 Champion Michael Schumacher shows 'moments of consciousness' after more than three months in coma



He has shown 'moments of consciousness' it has been reported



F1 ace is showing slight 'encouraging' improvements, manager says



Despite grim prognosis, the seven-time F1 champion's family will not give up

The family are currently making 150-mile round trip to his bedside daily

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is showing 'moments of consciousness and awakening', his manager has revealed.

After more than three months in a coma, the seven-time champion is 'making progress'.

He has opened his eyes and has had interaction with his environment, albeit in a minimal way so far.

New hope: Schumacher's manager last week said the F1 driver has shown 'encouraging signs' of improvement

Schumacher, 45, suffered a near-fatal head injury in a skiing accident in Meribel, France, on December 29.

In the first positive news for months, his manager Sabine Kehm announced: 'Michael is making progress on his way. He shows moments of consciousness and awakening. We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble, and we keep remaining confident.'

She said no further details would be given out of respect to his family and to 'enable the medical team to work in full calmness'.

Gary Hartstein, a former Formula One doctor, said 'awakening' would mean that Schumacher has opened his eyes.

He said: 'This eye opening can even be cyclic, following what looks just like a sleep-wake cycle (even if not synchronised to real day-night hours).'

And he said the 'moments of consciousness' meant that Schumacher would have had interaction with his environment.

He said: 'It consists of episodes of clear, purposeful interaction with the environment, and/or clear signs of awareness of self, even if these signs are not constantly present.

Bring him home: Reports had claimed that Corinna planned to build a multi-million pound facility so her husband can leave hospital, but these were subsequently denied by family and friends of the former F1 ace

Successful: The £25million estate on the shores of Lake Geneva where the Schumacher family live

'For example, if Michael smiles when a member of his entourage talks to him - reproducibly and consistently on at least a few occasions. Or following people with his eyes.



'Or trying to communicate, or obeying simple commands. Any of this constitutes objective signs of contact between the "outside" and the "inside". This then would be a minimally conscious state. And that is about the best news we could possibly get right now.'

But despite the encouraging signs, Schumacher will not be moved from Grenoble Hospital anytime soon.

His family and friends have also stressed there is no truth in wild rumours that his wife Corinna 'has built or plans to build any kind of medical suite for Michael on any of the buildings on their land in Gland, Switzerland. This includes future buildings'.

When doctors give the go-ahead he will be moved to a rehabilitation clinic, according to a family friend.

The friend said: 'There will be a very significant amount of rehab required.'

Doctors began the process of gradually awakening Schumacher from his coma more than nine weeks ago.

Keen skier: Thrill-seeker Schumacher had been a keen and skilled skier before his accident in December

Waiting: The Grenoble University Hospital, where Schumacher has been in an induced coma for three months

Loving support: Corinna arrives at the hospital to which she and family make a daily 150-mile round trip

It will be 14 weeks ago on Sunday that Schumacher, 45, suffered his life-threatening accident while skiing in Meribel, where he owns a chalet.

Doctors began the process of gradually awakening him more than nine weeks ago.

Ms Kehm said it is 'very hard' for his loved ones to comprehend how the racing car driver could have been so catastrophically injured in such a 'banal situation'.

The accident occurred just over 14 feet from the edge of the ski run in an off-piste area in the French resort of Meribel.

He was skiing with his 14-year-old son when he lost control after hitting a rock. He ended up smashing his head into a bolder 34 feet further down the mountain.

He is receiving round-the-clock care in intensive care in Grenoble University Hospital.

Corinna, with whom he has two children Gina Marie, 16, and Mick, 14, has remained at his bedside.

They have remained confident throughout the tragedy that Schumacher will recover.

A statement released last month said: 'We are and remain confident that Michael will pull through and will wake up. There sometimes are small, encouraging signs, but we also know that this is the time to be very patient.'

His manager has stood by this statement during the last few weeks amidst the negativity offered by certain doctors who have nothing to do with his treatment.