Michael Schumacher 'has beaten pneumonia' and his family say they 'strongly believe' he will recover from his coma



German newspaper says Schumacher has already beaten the lung condition

Pneumonia reports apparently related to earlier complications while in coma



Meanwhile family issue statement saying they are positive about his health



They say the most important aspect of recovery is solid progress, not speed

Schumacher has been in a coma at a French hospital since December 29



Michael Schumacher has recovered from the pneumonia he picked up while lying in a coma in a French hospital, a German newspaper has reported.

The seven-times Formula One champion had already overcome the pneumonia by the time reports of his condition emerged earlier this week, according to daily tabloid Bild.



The news comes as Schumacher's family released a statement saying they 'strongly believe' the 45-year-old will recover from the December 29 skiing accident which has left him fighting for his life.

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Positive: The family of stricken former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, pictured here with his wife Corrina, 'strongly believe' he will recover from a skiing accident which has left him fighting for his life

Visitors: Corinna Schumacher and French professor Gerard Saillant arrive at Grenoble University Hospital in France to visit the former Formula One champion

In the statement, Schumacher's family said the most important element of his recovery was not speed, rather that it progresses in a 'continuous and controlled way'.

The statement said: 'Michael's family would like to again express their sincere thanks for the continuous sympathy coming from all over the world. The good wishes they receive help the family and we are convinced they also help Michael, who still is in a waking up process.'

'As often in such situation, no day is like the next. The family is thankful for ones understanding that they would not wish to disclose medical details in order to protect Michael’s privacy.

'As assured from the beginning we will continue to communicate any decisive new information on Michael’s health state. We are aware that the wake up phase can take a long time.

'The family continues to strongly believe in Michael's recovery and place all their trust in the doctors, nurses and nursing auxiliaries team.

'The important thing is not the speed of the recovery but that Michael’s healing process progresses in a continuous and controlled way."

Schumacher's accident occurred on December 29 in the French ski resort of Meribel, where he owns a chalet.

He had been skiing on the piste with his son and family friends but shortly after 11am moved to a patch of rocky off-piste located between two runs.

He skied into a rock and then catapulted on to another banging his head with such force that his helmet split in two.

He was wearing a helmet camera at the time and the entire accident was recorded.

Devoted: Michael Schumacher has been at University Hospital in Grenoble since December. Above, Schumacher is pictured with his wife Corinna in Italy

Schumacher, the seven-times Formula 1 champion, is being kept under constant scrutiny to detect any movement at all

Investigators said it was a freak accident and Schumacher, who is a very competent skier, was not skiing at an excessive speed.

He was airlifted off the mountain and taken to Grenoble University Hospital where doctors put him into a medically-induced coma. A scan revealed he had suffered serious brain damage. His manager released a statement later that night saying the sportsman was fighting for his life.

Surgeons performed two operations to relieve pressure on his brain and remove blood clots in the days following his accident.

Wife Corinna, 44, with whom the champion has two children Gina Marie, 16, and Mick, 14, has remained at his bedside.

His manager this week refused to comment on German media reports that he had contracted a lung infection.

Pneumonia is among the greatest life-threatening conditions that can afflict people in Schumacher's position. The lack of a competent swallowing mechanism can make saliva run into the lungs and trigger the potentially lethal respiratory infection.

