Michael Schumacher being brought out of coma

Michael Schumacher's family has confirmed that the former Formula One champion has started the waking up process from his coma after suffering severe head injuries in a skiing accident.

Speaking on behalf of the family, his agent said: "The family of Michael Schumacher is again requesting to respect its privacy and the medical secret, and to not disturb the doctors treating Michael in their work.

"At the same time, the family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the world wide sympathy.

"Michael’s sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking up process which may take long time.

"For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated. Please note that no further updates will be given."

Read: Schumacher's unrivalled record on the track

Footage from Michael Schumacher's helmet camera shed light on what caused the accident that left the Formula One champion fighting for his life, French prosecutors said.

Detailed video shows Mr Schumacher was eight meters off-piste when one of his skis hit a rock.

The investigators examined footage after the racer's family handed it over. They said he was travelling at the speed of a "very good skier on fairly hard terrain."

Michael Schumacher did not reduce his speed significantly after going off-piste prior to his accident, French prosecutors said.

ITV News Europe correspondent Emma Murphy reports:

Michael Schumacher did not reduce his speed significantly after going off-piste prior to his accident, French prosecutors said.

The investigators said the Formula One champion tried to reduce his speed, before one of his skis hit a rock, causing Mr Schumacher to fall.

The investigator added that Mr Schumacher was following the rules imposed in the French resort.

The racing driver, who suffered a severe head injury while skiing off-piste in the resort of Meribel in France last Sunday, remains in an artificially induced coma.

The team of investigators examining the accident that left Michael Schumacher fighting for life said the Formula One champion is "extremely good skier."

French prosecutors investigating Michael Schumacher's skiing accident revealed one of Mr Schumacher's skis hit a rock, which caused the German to fall.

The accident in French resort Meribel has left the Formula One champion fighting for his life.

The investigators examined footage from a small camera which was attached to Michael Schumacher's helmet, after his family handed the camera over.

The seven-times Formula One champion suffered brain injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps resort of Meribel 10 days ago.

His condition remained critical but stable, Grenoble Hospital has said in a statement on Monday.

Read: Michael Schumacher's wife appeals for privacy

Michael Schumacher's wife has asked the media for privacy while doctors treat the seven-time Formula One world champion, according to reports.

Corinna Schumacher reportedly released a statement to media saying that no more press conferences would be held about her husband's condition in the near future, and asking for doctors at the hospital in Grenoble, France to be left to "work in peace".

"Please leave our family alone," the statement reportedly concluded.

Michael Schumacher's manager has dismissed reports that his life is out of danger, reiterating that he is still stable but critical, as doctors treating the former Formula One driver said earlier today:

Michael Schumacher condition remains stable but critical, Grenoble Hospital has said in a statement.

"The clinical state of Michael Schumacher is considered as stable and is constantly monitored by the medical treatments that are administered to him," it said.

"However, the medical team responsible underlines that they [still] consider Michael¹s condition as critical.

The statement added: "The privacy of the patient demands that we are not going into details of his treatment, and this is why we do not plan any press conferences, nor give out written press releases, anymore for the time being."

The hospital asked journalists "to stick to the information given by the medical team in charge of the patient or his management" as the "only valid information".

Read: Michael Schumacher's agent criticises 'invalid speculation'

Michael Schumacher's condition remained critical but stable last night, the German's agent said nearly a week after the seven-times Formula One champion suffered brain injuries in a skiing accident in the French Alps resort of Meribel.

• Read: Michael Schumacher's agent criticises 'invalid speculation'