File photo of Ferrari Formula One Driver Michael Schumacher of Germany Celebrates After Taking the Pole Position at the End of the Qualifying Session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir Racetrack in Manama
IN PHOTO: Ferrari Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany celebrates after taking the pole position at the end of the qualifying session for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sakhir racetrack in Manama in this March 11, 2006 file picture. Reuters

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher remains in deep sleep after suffering serious head injury from a ski accident in the French Alps last December. Months since he was pronounced in coma condition, doctors stressed that the race car legend is not brain dead but his recovery could take more time than expected.

Dr. Didier Martin, the chief neurosurgeon at CHU Liege, has provided two possibilities that could take place while Schumacher is still in coma condition: one is for him to make some progress while the other is for his health to worsen.

"When a patient is in a prolonged coma, two possibilities exist." Dr. Martin told Sudinfo.be. "Either there is a deterioration , or there is a positive development. But if there is progress, it is done over months, not days. A patient does not wake up once. It is a popular imaging and it is false."

Schumacher, who still holds the record with seven Formula One Drivers championships, has been in coma condition for roughly four months following the tragic accident.

While doctors have been trying to keep him in stable condition, several reports came out of nowhere to detail the driver's alleged death and deteriorating condition. Sabine Kehn, Schumacher's spokesperson and manager, downplayed the reports and stressed that the Ferrari race car driver is gaining significant improvement these past few months.

"There are short moments of consciousness and he is showing small signs of progress," Kehm told the Daily Telegraph. "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."

In fact, Kehn said Schumacher's family and friends are still optimistic the driver will overcome his current condition and wake up again soon.

"We remain confident that Michael Schumacher will make it through and wake up," Sabine Kehm told Bild.de a few days ago, referring to what his family is going through, according to a German translation on Epoch Times last Thursday.