Doctors at the hospital where Michael Schumacher remains in an artificial coma are cautious about the prognosis for the seven-times world champion.
At a press conference, specialists who have treated Schumacher at the Grenoble hospital in France following his skiing accident at the luxury resort of Meribel, said the German had some lesions in his brain and he will be kept in a coma.
“At the moment we really can’t really say what is going to happen and when he will recover,” the doctor said.
“We cannot answer this yet.”
“He remains in an artificial coma. We are trying to release pressure in his head.
“His situation is definitely critical.”
It was confirmed that Schumacher had only been operated on once despite rumours rifling through social media that a second operation was performed through the night.
“He has some injuries to his brain and we can’t say what the outcome will be at this point.
“It is too early to give a prognosis.”
Professor Jean-Francois Payan, who also attended the press conference, admitted that the motor racing superstar is still fighting for his life and that the protective helmet he was wearing at the time of the accident had indeed saved him.
“I’d say this accident happened in the right place because he was taken into hospital immediately and operated on as soon as he arrived, this meant his state is critical and he is still in a coma and he will be kept in a coma.
“Everything that needed to be done has been done (and) at the moment we can’t really say when he will recover, we cannot answer this yet.”
“With the violence with which his head hit the ground, obviously the helmet did help.
“Without the helmet he would not be here now.”
Top surgeon professor Gerard Saillant, who is a personal friend of Schumacher, said: “I came here as a doctor not as a friend.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support. I am very worried just like his wife (Corinna) and his family about his condition.”
Schumacher’s immediate family are by his bedside and are being kept in constant contact.
It is also understood that Mercedes F1 Technical Director Ross Brawn and former Ferrari boss and FIA President Jean Todt are also in attendance.
