F1 champion Michael Schumacher `still in wake-up phase`

USPA News - Retired German race car driver Michael Schumacher remains in a "wake-up" phase with no change in his condition more than two months after a skiing accident in France, his spokeswoman said on Friday, responding to speculative media reports. Doctors treating Schumacher, 45, at University Hospital in Grenoble in southeastern France are still working to bring him out of a medically-induced coma.

"Michael is still in the wake-up phase. The situation has not changed," spokeswoman Sabine Kehm reported on Friday. Various news organizations have repeatedly speculated on the condition of the Formula One legend, but Kehm insisted on Friday that any medical information which has not been confirmed by the team of doctors treating Schumacher or his management team should be considered as "not valid." The seven-time champion suffered a severe head injury from a skiing accident on December 29, 2013, when he fell and hit a rock while skiing with his family on the slopes of the French Alps in Meribel. Schumacher went into a medically-induced coma and has since undergone two operations to remove blood clots from his brain. In late January, Kehm said doctors were reducing sedation to allow the start of a waking up process, which had been predicted to take a "long time." Schumacher`s family added last month they continue to "strongly believe" in the recovery of the racing legend and have placed "all their trust" in the doctors and nurses. In early January, around 100 fans traveled to the hospital in Grenoble to mark Schumacher`s 45th birthday, projecting onto the side of the hospital building a message that read: "45. Schumi, stay strong! Keep fighting!" Some of the fans had traveled hours to show their support to the family. Schumacher, with 90 wins, 68 pole positions, 75 fastest laps, 1354 points and seven world titles, is regarded by many as the greatest Formula One driver of all time. He won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five consecutive titles from 2000. He first retired after winning the 2006 Italian Grand Prix but returned to Formula One in February 2010, only to retire for a second time after finishing in 14th position at the Brazilian Grand Prix in November 2012.