Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is slowly being brought out of an induced coma following last month's skiing accident, his manager has said.
The German was involved in an accident while skiing in the French Alps on 29 December and it had been feared he could be in a coma for the rest of his life.
He has spent the last month in the University of Grenoble hospital fighting for his life after sustaining brain injuries in the resort of Meribel.
Schumacher has been in a coma for over a month
Sabine Kehm said: "Michael’s sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take long time."
"For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated."
Kehm added no further updates will be given, and out of respect for Schumacher's family she has urged they continue to be left alone.
Kehm said: "The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting for their privacy, and the medical secret, to be respected, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work.
Schumacher family arrive at hospital
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-SKI-ACCIDENT(01 of33)
Fans of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher put signs with messages of support and banners of F1 Ferrari team, on January 3, 2014, in front of the Grenoble University Hospital Centre, to mark the 45th birthday of the former pilot. Formula One legend is to turn 45 today while lying comatose in a French hospital after suffering critical head injuries in a ski accident. AFP PHOTO / JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT (Photo credit should read JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(02 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher and surgeon and professor Gerard Saillant arrive at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(03 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(04 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ralf Schumacher, the brother of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his brother. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(06 of33)
Ralf Schumacher, the brother of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his brother. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(07 of33)
Rolf Schumacher, the father of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his son. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(08 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 2, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(09 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 2, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(10 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Sabine Kehm, manager of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where he remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Rolf Schumacher, the father of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit his son. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(12 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Sabine Kehm, manager of the former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where he remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(13 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher, the wife of former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher arrives at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 2, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Corinna Schumacher (3rd L), the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant (L), to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(15 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Sabine Kehm, manager of the former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where he remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(16 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(17 of33)
Corinna Schumacher, the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(18 of33)
Corinna Schumacher (C), the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant (L), to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FRANCE-GERMANY-SCHUMACHER-AUTO-PRIX-SKI-ACCIDENT(19 of33)
Corinna Schumacher, the wife of German Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, arrives on January 3, 2014 at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre with French surgeon professor Gerard Saillant (L), to visit her husband. Schumacher remained 'stable' but was still in a critical condition on January 3 as he spent his 45th birthday lying in a coma for a fifth day in a French hospital following a skiing accident. AFP PHOTO/PHILIPPE DESMAZES (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(20 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(21 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(22 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(23 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Rolf Schumacher, father of Michael Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where his son, the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(24 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(25 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(26 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Ralf Schumacher, brother of Michael Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(27 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(28 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Press officer Sabine Kehm arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(29 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Ralf Schumacher, brother of Michael Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(30 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(31 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Corinna Schumacher arrives at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where her husband former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(32 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Rolf Schumacher, father of Michael Schumacher (L) and his brother Ralf arrive at the Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Michael Schumacher Remains Critically Ill After Skiing Accident(33 of33)
GRENOBLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 03: Rolf Schumacher and Ralf Schumacher (R), father and brother of Michael Schumacher and arrive at Grenoble University Hospital Centre where the former German Formula One driver remains in a stable but critical condition as he is treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on Sunday in Meribel on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the sympathy they have received from around the world."
Wife Corinna, who is maintaining a constant bedside vigil, last week issued a heartfelt thank you to all those who continue to send in messages of support, insisting her husband "is a fighter (who) will not give up".
Close friend Felipe Massa, who suffered his own serious head injury in an accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2009, admitted last week he was praying every day for Schumacher.
In this week's first pre-season test in Jerez, the Mercedes car being driven by Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton is carrying the message on the side of the W05 "#KeepFightingMichael".
Hamilton said: "It's tragic. We are hoping he is going to pull through and we see him sooner rather than later."
Rosberg added: "We have the message on our car because as a team we want to show we are thinking about him, his family and friends, and hoping for the best every day."