Michael Schumacher showing 'moments of consciousness and awakening'

Michael Schumacher's manager has reportedly said he is showing signs he may still recover from his skiing accident in France - including "moments of consciousness and awakening".

The F1 racer, 45, has been in a medically-induced coma since hitting his head on rocks in the French Alps on 29 December.

His condition is critical, and it is not yet known if he will be able to recover from his injuries.

But his manager Sabine Kehm has said that he does show some positive signs.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, she said: "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."

Former F1 doctor Gary Hartstein explained to the paper what "moments of consciousness" could mean. He said: "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."

The news comes as Schumacher's wife Corinna is reportedly building a £10 million medical suite his father's home for when her husband leaves hospital.

According to the Daily Mail, the 45-year-old is using the family's £500 million fortune to build the suite at their £25 million estate by Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Earlier this week, Gary Hartstein warned that fans of Michael Schumacher should prepare for "really bad news" following his ski accident three months ago.

The former F1 chief doctor wrote on his blog: "As time goes on it becomes less and less likely that Michael will emerge to any significant extent."

At the beginning of March, reports emerged that doctors told his family that only "a miracle" can save the Formula One racing star.

But his family, who have described him as a "fighter", are clinging to hope that he will recover.

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