The exciting news about Michael Schumacher is that he seems to be giving some response to treatment. He is expected to recover soon from the injuries to his brain, said the former Ferrari chairman, 68-year-old Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.
Recently, it was thought that the seven-time Formula One world champion was deteriorating. In February, di Montezemolo had admitted that his health was "not good".
But on Monday, Montezemolo, who had been chief when Schumacher bagged five world titles between 2000 and 2004, reinforced the hopes of the German racing superstar's fans.
"I'm very pleased to know that he is reacting," he said. "I know how strong he is. I'm sure that thanks to his determination, which will be crucial, he will come out from this very, very difficult situation."
It was in December 2013 that the German racing star had received severe head injuries due to a skiing accident at Meribel, an Alpine resort. But a number of people have thrown up contradictory reports of his situation.
At Marburg, Germany, his manager, Sabine Kehm, had mentioned that it was crucial to give a round-up of the achievements of the seven-time world champion. So far, Sabine Kehm has been pushing back speculations, even "false hopes" raised by the media just before Christmas, when Bunte magazine said that Schumacher was actually walking!
For six months after the accident, he was in an induced coma and has been getting specialist care at his home by Lake Geneva, since September 2014. He is still paralysed and wheelchair-bound. His memory is a bit affected and he is not able to talk.
"We must accept it and hope with everything we have that with continued support and patience he will one day be back with us. Racing was his life and no one would have liked to have been here more than him," she said.
"He is the most successful driver in history and sometimes, on days like this, it is good to be reminded of it. Of course, Michael is not here and of course we miss him. We know what has happened and cannot change it," she added.
So is he recovering or not? One can go only by Montezemolo's word. Perhaps he really is recovering, and will begin to walk soon....
