Michael Schumacher’s manager says the Formula One great remains “in a waking up process”, two weeks after doctors at the University of Grenoble hospital began the delicate job of bringing him out of an induced coma.
The latest update on the 45-year-old’s condition comes at the end of a week that has witnessed fresh speculation over Schumacher’s survival chances, following a report in Germany’s Bild newspaper which claimed the stricken seven-time world champion has been battling pneumonia.
The claim has subsequently been repeated in publications around the world, and although Thursday’s update did not issue a denial of that story, it made clear that “any decisive new information” on Schumacher’s condition would be communicated to the media.
"Michael's family would like to again express their sincere thanks for the continuous sympathy coming from all over the world," the statement from Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm, read.
“The good wishes they receive help the family and, we are convinced, they also help Michael, who still is in a waking-up process.
“As often in such situations no day is like the next. The family is thankful for one’s understanding that they would not wish to disclose medical details in order to protect Michael’s privacy.
“As assured from the beginning we will continue to communicate any decisive new information on Michael’s health state. We are aware that the wake-up phase can take a long time.”
Doctors treating Schumacher announced they had begun the process of waking him in a statement on January 30th, a month after the 91-time grand prix winner sustained severe head injuries in a skiing accident at the French Alpine resort of Meribel.
Following the accident on December 29th, Schumacher underwent two operations to remove blood clots from his brain and was placed into the artificial coma.
Initial, unconfirmed reports indicated Schumacher had responded positively to neurological tests and instructions following the commencement of the wake-up phase.
Thursday’s statement added: “The family continues to strongly believe in Michael’s recovery and place all their trust in the doctors, nurses and nursing auxiliaries team.
“The important thing is not the speed of the recovery but that Michael’s healing process progresses in a continuous and controlled way.”
