The motor racing icon suffered a serious brain injury after hitting his head on a rock during a fall while skiing in the French Alps in 2013. Schumacher has not been seen in public since as his family have fiercely guarded his privacy during his recovery. Now Jean-Francois Payen, who was the first doctor to confirm that he was no longer in a coma five years ago, has given an insight into the treatment the racing legend he is receiving.
The 57-year-old told German publication In Touch: “There is a one-to-three year plan for the regeneration period.
“I still visit him occasionally and talk to the family about any progress I see.”
Dr Payen was not able to give away too many details about Schumacher’s current condition as he needed to “respect confidentiality”.
But he did add Schumacher was making progress and is in a positive state.
He also advised fans to be patient, as Schumacher’s wife Corinna has created “optimal conditions” to help for the Formula 1 world champion to recover.
Speaking about Corrina’s “extraordinary willpower”, Dr Payen said: “She immediately knew the severity of the situation and the long road ahead.
“She sees things very clearly and will do anything to make her husband’s condition better.”
Meanwhile, Professor Philippe Menasché also confirmed to the publication that Schumacher was treated in the heart and vascular surgery department at the prestigious Paris Georges Pompidou Hospital.
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He said: “Michael is fighting to improve every day, and we need to support him in this fight.”
The seven-time world champion has been treated at home in September 2014.
Corinna, who married Schumacher in 1995, recently paid tribute to him in an interview with She magazine.
She said: “When I was 30, I very much wanted to have a horse and Michael went with me to Dubai, where I intended to buy an Arabian horse.
“He did everything for me. I will never forget who I have to thank.
“That would be my husband Michael.”
She added that it is his “desire to keep his health a secret” but said her husband is in the “best hands”.
Corinna said: “He is in the best of hands right now and we are doing everything we can to help him. You can be sure.”
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg.