Ecclestone tips Schumacher to 'wake up'

Feb.25 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone thinks F1 legend Michael Schumacher will eventually wake up.

Following his skiing fall in late December, the famous seven time world champion has been in a coma for more than eight weeks now.

News about Schumacher's condition and prospects is thin on the ground and mainly speculative, and so it's a difficult period for those who know the 45-year-old well -- like F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Germany's Bild newspaper said the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver and Ecclestone, 83, have never been close friends, but they have known each other well for more than two decades.

The report said Schumacher was among a chosen few who often played backgammon at Grands Prix in Ecclestone's familiar motor home.

"I'm afraid of bad news," diminutive Briton Ecclestone admitted, "so I don't ask any of Michael's friends or family how he really is.

"I want Michael to come back as our Schumi, not someone else.

"From what I've heard, I think he will wake up. But will he still be the Michael we all know?

"I often think of him and hope for the best, but now waiting is the only thing we can do," Ecclestone added.

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