Schumacher's family: We remain confident

Schumacher was initially admitted to Grenoble Hospital after suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps last December.

It was announced in June that he was no longer in a coma and had been transported to the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland, closer to his home.

Schumacher was moved home in September, at which point his manager, Sabine Kehm, issued the last official update on his condition.

"Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months," Kehm said at the time. "There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead."

In a message published on Schumacher's official website on Thursday, relaunched to mark the 20th anniversary of his maiden F1 title, his family thanked fans for the constant stream of supportive messages.

"Still we receive wishes for Michael to get well soon every day, and still we are stunned by the sheer amount of sympathies," read the statement. "We can only always thank you for facing this fight together with him and us.

"We remain confident and hope the best for Michael. Your strength is helping us to keep supporting him."