Fans gathered in front of the main entrance of Grenoble University Hospital Centre where former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher was being treated for a severe head injury following a skiing accident on January 3, 2014 in Grenoble, France. (Photo : Getty Images/Micha Will/Bongarts)
While there have been few signs of improvement, FIA President and close friend, Jean Todt, feels Michael Schumacher is still fighting the odds.
According to a report by the Independent, Todt said, "Michael is a close friend, his family is very close to me, and I'm very close to them as well. I see Michael very often, and Michael is still fighting, and we must keep fighting with the family."
Schumi suffered severe head and brain injuries while skiing in the French Alps on Dec. 29, 2013. The accident left him in an induced coma to stabilize his condition. The seven-time Formula One champion showed some progress under a strictly guarded facility barring all unauthorized communications with any media outlet.
Reportedly, the rehabilitation process is expensive and has currently reached $154,000 per week, amounting to a total of $15 million. Because of the increased medical expenses, Schumi's wife, Corinna, has already sold the ex-racer's jet and there is a possibility that the family chalet in France.
Apart from the escalating medical expenses, it is reported that the 46-year old German motorsport icon has already lost about 65lbs, which is very significant compared to the listed 165 lbs in his F1 profile.
In other news, Todt is happy with Lewis Hamilton's third championship title and it reminds his of Schumacher in good times, The Telegraph reported.
Todt said, "It was interesting last week after Lewis won the title for third time. You saw the figures. I was very proud of what Michael achieved. Sometimes you tend to forget what he did."
In addition, Nigel Mansell, the 1992 champion spoke to BBC about Hamilton asserting that he must target Schumi's record of winning seven world titles. According to Mansell, Hamilton is a hot favorite for the 2016 and 2017 championship.
