Formula 1 champion Schumacher still in coma, but in a phase of “gradual awakening”

Seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher who is still fighting for his life after suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps resort of Meribel, is reacting positively to treatment, the French newspaper L'Equipe reported on Wednesday.     

Doctors at the clinic in Grenoble, where the German racer is still in a coma have put Schumacher in the so-called phase of gradual awakening.                   

The doctors added that the patient's brain has positively reacted to the changes, noting that a process of rehabilitation should begin now, and may take several months.                

The retired motor racing great, 44, slammed his head on a rock while skiing off-piste on 29 December in the French Alpine resort where he has a vacation home.              

Schumacher was initially conscious as he was transported to a local hospital in Moutiers and then to Grenoble. However, his condition deteriorated sharply afterwards.              

Doctors said Schumacher had been placed in an artificial coma. In Germany, Schumacher's accident topped news bulletins, with the bestselling tabloid newspaper Bild reporting on its website: "Schumi fighting for his life".     

Schumacher was under the care of Professor Gerard Saillant, a brain and spinal injury expert who is also president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Institute. Saillant told the news conference he was there as "a friend" and gave no further details on his condition.        

Schumacher is the most successful Formula One driver of all time with a record 91 race victories in a career spanning more than two decades. Schumacher left the sport last year after a less successful three-year comeback with Mercedes following an earlier retirement from Ferrari at the end of 2006. He lives in Switzerland with his wife and two children.