Schumacher has been in a medically-induced coma for over two months following a skiing accident in Meribel shortly before New Year, with doctors at his hospital in Grenoble having started to awaken him in recent weeks by slowly reducing the levels of his medication.

Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's agent and spokesperson, has reported that, “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.

“Michael has suffered severe injuries. It’s very hard to comprehend for all of us that Michael, who had overcome a lot of precarious situations in the past, has been hurt so terribly in such a banal situation. “It was clear from the start that this will be a long and hard fight for Michael. We are taking this fight on together with the team of doctors, whom we fully trust. The length of the process is not the important part for us.

“I would like to remind all of us that Michael has always actively kept his family out of the public eye and consequently protected their private lives.

Doctors had previously told Schumacher's family that "only a miracle" could save the life of the seven-times world champion, according to a report.