Michael Schumacher showing small, encouraging signs: Family

The family of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher has revealed that the comatose former racer as been showing 'small, encouraging signs' in his fight for recovery.

Doctors in France have been working to bring the seven-time German champion out of a medically induced coma after he suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps on December 29.

According to the BBC, Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm released a statement on behalf of his family because of "an increasing interest in his condition in light of the start of the Formula 1 season".

The family stated that they remain confident that the German will pull through and will wake up as there are small, encouraging signs, although they admitted that they need to be patient as Schumacher has suffered severe injuries and will need to fight long and hard.

Stating that it is hard for them to comprehend the 'banal' situation in which the retired racing star has been hurt, the family also said that they trust the team of doctors working on Schumacher, adding that they are grateful for the support and sympathy they have received in light of the incident.

Schumacher, who retired from racing in 2012 after a 19-year career, won two titles with Benetton, in 1994 and 1995, before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000, the report added.