Michael Schumacher's family told only "a miracle" can save him

Doctors treating Michael Schumacher after a ski accident in France left him in a coma have reportedly told his family that only "a miracle" can save the Formula One racing star, sources claim.

According to the Daily Mail, a senior German journalist said: "He is in terrible shape but until the family issue a statement we cannot write about it. The family have, we are told, been informed that only a miracle can bring him back now."

But Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport claims the 45-year-old is no longer on a ventilator and is breathing on his own.

The Daily Telegraph reports that a statement released on Friday by Schumacher's management insisted there has been no change.

It read: "Michael is still in a wake up phase, the situation has not altered."

Schumacher is being treated in a hospital in Grenoble and his management have kept news of his condition to a minimum.

One magazine reported two weeks ago that the wake-up phase was stopped due to complications and he was placed back in a coma.

Before this, Jean-Marc Orgogozo, Professor of Neurology at the University of Bordeaux, who is not involved in Schumacher's treatment, said: "Every day, every week in a coma the chances decline that the situation is improving."

Schumacher's family took to his webpage and wrote: "We all know: he is a fighter and will not give up! We are deeply moved that there is no let up in the good wishes for Michael from around the world.

"That gives us strength. Thank you all of you!"

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