Schumacher ‘Blinked’ As Doctors Move To End Coma: Report

Michael Schumacher has "blinked" and is "responding to simple instructions".

This is according to reports emerging from the Grenoble hospital, after the F1 legend's manager confirmed reports doctors are attempting to ease Schumacher out of his month-long coma.

France's L'Equipe reports that the great German has "blinked" his eyes as Dr Emmanuel Gay performed neurological reflex tests.

And Britain's Sky News quoted unnamed sources as saying the former Mercedes and Ferrari driver was now "responding to simple instructions".

Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm, however, told the German news agency DPA that she would not "give information about intermediate steps", having confirmed officially that doctors were trying to wake the 45-year-old.

And Grenoble neurosurgeon Stephan Chabardes, who on Wednesday confirmed the awakening reports before they were officially confirmed, also was not commenting on Thursday's latest developments.

"Please note that I will not comment for reasons of medical confidentiality," he is quoted by the German newsmagazine Focus.

(GMM)

Schumacher 'waking up process' has begun - manager

(GMM) Michael Schumacher's manager has now confirmed reports doctors at the Grenoble hospital are trying to wake the great German from his month-long coma.

Earlier, Sabine Kehm dismissed the reports that Schumacher's anaesthesia was being gradually reduced as "speculation".

But she said on Thursday that she only refused to comment then "For the protection of the family", because the news could only be confirmed "once this process (of awakening) was consolidated".

"Michael's sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take a long time," said Kehm.