Michael Schumacher is said to be defying the odds¹ and waking up from his coma².

The Formula One legend’s manager Sabine Kehm revealed the German was showing “moments of ­consciousness and awakening”, suggesting he had opened his eyes.

He has been in a medically induced coma since he suffered serious head injuries during a ski crash in December

Miss Kehm said: “Michael is making progress on his way. He shows moments of consciousness and awakening³.”

She added: “We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble and we keep remaining confident.”

This week it emerged the seven-time F1 world champ, 45, would eventually be moved from hospital to a rehabilitation⁴ facility.

But Miss Kehm dismissed rumours⁵ the driver’s wife Corinna planned to build a medical suite⁶ for him at their home in Gland⁷, Switzerland.

A close family friend added: “Michael will be moved to a ­re­­habilitation clinic at some stage, however not at this stage.

“We are confident Michael will wake up. Therefore why would we need to build facilities for a vegetative man at his home? This would imply that his case is hopeless.”

It will be 14 weeks ago tomorrow since dad-of-two Schumacher had his horror accident while skiing at the French Alps resort of Meribel.

He remains⁸ on a ventilator and doctors began the gradual process of waking him up nine weeks ago.

F1 fans at tomorrow’s Bahrain Grand Prix will unfurl a banner which reads: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Schumacher.”