‘Encouraging’ signs for Schumi

Michael Schumacher’s manager says there are “encouraging” signs in the process of bringing the former F1 driver out of an artificial coma.

Germany’s Bild newspaper reported Thursday a “noticeable improvement” in Schumacher’s condition.

His manager, Sabine Kehm, confirmed to dpa comments in Bild in which she was quoted as saying: “I can only say again there are signs which are encouraging.”

Schumacher, 45, suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident at the French resort of Meribel on December 29.

The seven-time World Champion was taken to a hospital in Grenoble for emergency surgery and was then placed in an artificial coma.