On Tuesday, they said a slight improvement in his condition had allowed them
to perform a second nearly two-hour long procedure to remove bleeding in the
brain, but warned he was “not out of danger” yet.
“We cannot speculate on the future,” said Jean-Francois Payen, head of the
intensive care unit at the hospital. “We cannot say he is out of danger but
we have gained some time.”
Doctors have pointed out that Schumacher, due to turn 45 on January 3, has age
and physical fitness on his side.
He has been put in a medically induced coma to spur recovery, and his
temperature has been reduced to around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees
Fahrenheit) to reduce swelling.
Schumacher’s accident has prompted an outpouring of sympathy from racing stars
and fans alike.
Former Formula One champion Niki Lauda, who himself suffered severe injuries
in a 1976 racing crash, has also come out in support of the man known fondly
as “Schumi”.
“I think there is someone up there who is trying to help him in this
situation. At the time, I could help myself. Michael, though, cannot do
anything for the moment,” he said in an interview with the Die Zeit weekly.
Players from Premier League leaders Arsenal also sent Schumacher a get well
message.
Following a match on Wednesday Arsenal’s German forward Lukas Podolski posted
a picture on Facebook of him and several of his team-mates holding an
under-shirt bearing the message ‘GET WELL SOON SCHUMI’.