In this photo released by Desafio Internacional das Estrelas, pilots taking part in the karting race International Challenge of the Stars hold a banner that reads in Portuguese "Strength Schumi," a message for Michael Schumacher, in Penha, Brazil, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. Schumacher, who won the annual karting event in 2007 and 2009, has been in a medically induced coma since Dec. 29, 2013 when he struck his head on a rock while skiing on a family vacation. (AP Photo/Duda Bairros, Desafio Internacional das Estrelas)
January 17, 2014 - 8:21 AM
FRANKFURT - Michael Schumacher remains in stable condition following a skiing accident that left the Formula One great with severe head injuries and in a coma since Dec. 29, his manager said on Friday.
The statement from manager Sabine Kehm does not mention the word "critical" for the first time in describing the condition of the seven-time world champion.
Schumacher has been in an induced coma in a Grenoble hospital since the crash in the French Alps.
"Michael's family is very happy and confident with the work of the team of doctors treating Michael, and they trust them completely. Michael's condition is still considered as stable," Kehm said in an email.
In the first statement since Schumacher's wife, Corinna, appealed for the family to be left in peace on Jan. 7, Kehm repeated that "any information regarding Michael's health not coming from the doctors treating him or from his management must be treated as pure speculation."
Doctors treating Schumacher in Grenoble have not commented on his condition since Jan. 6, when they said they still regarded him to be critical.
The 45-year-old Schumacher hit his head on a rock at the Meribel ski resort.
Schumacher retired from F1 in 2012 as the most successful driver in series history.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014