Medical team treating Michael Schumacher claims that there are signs of a slight improvement but that there is still a long way to go.

Speaking at a press conference at the CHU hospital in Grenoble where the seven-time champion is being treated, the team, led by Prof Jean-Francois Payen, revealed that a scan carried out on Monday revealed signs of improvement and consequently a "procedure" had been carried out to reduce cranial pressure.

Insisting that it is wrong to say the German is out of danger, there is apparently still a lot of haemorrhaging around his brain, the team revealed that there will be further scans carried out when necessary while the strategy over the next 24-hours will be to correct a number of anomalies. His condition remains "critical".

Doing well to hide its frustration at some of the more banal questions from the gathered media, the team refused point blank to make any predictions about what might happen.

Confirming that the German’s family remains at his bedside, the doctors asked for understanding from the media, asking reporters not to pressurise his wife Corinna or those treating him for interviews.

Taking to Twitter during the press conference, Gary Hartstein, who succeeded Professor Sid Watkins as Formula One Medical Delegate following his retirement in 2005, wrote: "This is a VERY interesting and quite positive press conference.

"Globally, with the 'usual' bumps and detours, things are following the path they 'should'," he added.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the helmet Schumacher was wearing when he fell on Sunday - without which doctors admit he would have been killed - was split in two. According to AFP, sources in the gendarmerie investigating the accident have confirmed the German's helmet was found in two separate parts.