Schumacher showing small signs of progress

Michael Schumacher is showing small signs of progress out of his medically induced coma. Photo / AP

Michael Schumacher is "showing small signs of progress", his spokeswoman says, with the Formula One legend slowly recovering from devastating brain injuries suffered in a ski accident.

"There are short moments of consciousness and he is showing small signs of progress," Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told German broadcaster ARD on Sunday.

"There are moments when he is awake and moments when he is conscious.

"Of course I am not a doctor, but medically, there is a distinction between being awake and being conscious, the latter meaning there is an ability to interact with his surroundings.

"I don't want to disclose details out of respect for the family, but we have no doubt at all in the abilities of the doctors treating Michael, they are experts in their field."

Schumacher has been in a medically induced coma in Grenoble, France, since being badly injured in a ski accident on December 29 in the French resort of Meribel with his son and friends.

Kehm said Schumacher's family have been touched by a deluge of tributes and support from fans of the racing driver, but constant media speculation, particularly in German newspapers, have caused the family some anguish.

"What upsets the family most is media quoting doctors who are not treating Michael and untruths are constructed from these," said Kehm, who has been in Grenoble nearly every day since the accident.

"It has been a problem when outsiders comment and it means we have to set the record straight, even when we don't want to."

The 45-year-old Schumacher underwent two operations in the days after the accident to remove life-threatening blood clots before being placed into a coma.

The family announced at the end of January that drugs used to keep him in his deep sleep were being reduced with a view to bringing him back to consciousness.

-AAP