A month ago Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher sustained serious head injuries from a skilling accident in the Alps French resort of Meribel last December 29.

Michael Schumacher's team of doctors has begun reducing his sedation to prepare to bring the Formula 1 champion out of a coma, says his manager Sabine Kehm.

After his accident, the seven-time F1 legend was placed into an artificial coma after two emergency operations to reduce the swelling caused by the severe brain trauma, says The Guardian.

Kehm said in a statement, "Michael's sedation is being reduced in order to allow the start of the waking-up process which may take a long time. For the protection of the family, it was originally agreed by the interested parties to communicate this information only once this process was consolidated."

The 45-year old has been kept asleep to help reduce the swelling with a body temperature lowered to 34-35 degrees Celsius (93.2 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit) and Kehm says Schumacher's condition remains stable.

ABC News writes that experts say if the coma is being lifted, it's a good sign and the pressure in his skull might've reduced but the first 24 hours will be highly critical. It's not uncommon that patients suffering from brain injuries may need several attempts to be brought out of a coma. Doctors will be testing the German's ability to recognize and respond to basic functions.

The next steps of the process are going to be handled discreetly to protect Schumacher and his family. The process can take a while from days to weeks. Emmanuel Gay and the rest of the team have begun running neurological tests and so far, the former racer has been "responding positively" to tests.

Schumacher could recover from injuries fully but given that he's been in a coma for a while, it's possible that he is suffered from severe as well as several damages and the retired racer could face permanent or long-term damages.