Michael Schumacher is reportedly "conscious" after undergoing stem-cell treatment in Paris, a French newspaper has claimed.
It emerged on Monday that Schumacher, who has not been seen in public for almost six years following his skiing accident, was admitted to a Paris hospital for "secret treatment".
In a further development, it is now believed that a leading surgeon, who specialises in stem-cell breakthroughs, has been treating the Formula One legend at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in the French capital.
And Le Parisien have now claimed that Schumacher was admitted for transfusions of inflammation-reducing stem cells - and that the state-of-the-art facility "has turned into a bunker" following his arrival at the hospital.
Schumacher's management have declined to comment on the report and there has been no official statement from the hospital regarding his current state of health either.
However the French paper has quoted an unnamed nurse who works at the hospital and claimed that Schumacher has showed signs of recovery.
"Yes he is in my service," the nurse revealed. "And I can assure you that he is conscious."
Le Parisien have said that Schumacher was welcomed at the hospital by Professor Philippe Menasche, a French cardiac surgeon who is best known for performing the world’s first embryonic cell transplant on a patient with heart failure in 2014.
Schumacher has been recovering at the family home in Lausanne, Switzerland after he sustained serious head injuries in December 2013. There have been few updates about his well-being.
To coincide with his 50th birthday last January, the family issued a rare statement, saying they "are doing everything humanely possible" to help the seven-time world champion, and "that he is in the very best of hands".
The wall of secrecy, enforced at the request of Schumacher's wife Corinna, was established to protect one of the biggest names in modern sporting times.
Schumacher remains F1''s most successful driver, with a record 91 grand prix wins. He won his first two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before five in a row with Ferrari between 2000-2004.
