Michael Schumacher 'cries when he hears voices of family'

Schumacher is continuing his recovery from a serious head injury sustained in a skiing accident in December 2013 and is being treated in a specially-built centre at his home by Lake Geneva.

The German legend’s family have been by his side since he left hospital in September, with wife Corinna saying in a rare press statement that his recovery “will presumably take a long time”.

Official updates on Schumacher’s recovery have been scarce, but Italian newspaper Corriere della Serra has published a report which claims to contain details of how the former Ferrari ace is responding.

The paper writes: "Sometimes a tear rolls down Michael's face. He cries when he hears the voice of his children or his wife."

Autosprint, an Italian magazine, have also published fresh details of Schumacher's state which have been replicated in The Times.

The report reads: "Michael has his eyes open but he is often looking into a void. In recent times he has been able to recognise the familiar faces of his family but he cannot communicate with them.

"He does not speak and he is not able to perform movements independently. He reacts to external stimuli but for now can only answer a familiar voice by opening his eyes."

In order to verify the report, editor-in-chief Alberto Sabbatini revealed that information had been provided by “those who know and see him”.

Sabbatini added: "The good news is that Michael is not stuck in a bed. When not undergoing physical therapy to avoid muscle atrophy, he sits in a chair in front of the windows of his villa, overlooking on one side the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps, and on the other the shores of Lake Geneva.”

The editor-in-chief added that Schumacher’s alleged responses were “a sign that he is still alive and understands, even if now he is the prisoner of an immobile body.”

Schumacher was in a coma for six months after his accident and had two brain operations in Grenoble.