'Encouraging Signs' From Michael Schumacher: Ross Brawn

Michael Schumacher is making "encouraging signs" in his recovery from a serious skiing accident, former Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn said in a BBC interview on Thursday.

Seven-time world champion Schumacher sustained serious head injuries in the accident in 2013, which left him in a coma for six months and unable to walk.

His current condition is not known, but Brawn, who worked with Schumacher on all seven of his world titles, expressed hope the 47-year-old German will one day recover from his injuries.

"The family have chosen to conduct Michael's convalescence in private and I must respect that," he said.

"There are encouraging signs and we are all praying every day that we see more of them. So it is difficult for me to say very much and respect the family's privacy.

"All I would say is there is a lot of speculation about Michael's condition.

"Most of it's wrong and we just pray and hope every day that we continue to see some progress and that one day we can see Michael out and about and recovered from his terrible injuries."

Schumacher fell and hit his head against a rock while skiing in the French Alps with his family in December 2013.

He spent time in hospital in Grenoble and Lausanne before being brought to his home in Switzerland in September 2014 to continue his rehabilitation.