On the one-year anniversary of his skiing crash, Michael Schumacher's inner circle has hit back at the latest claims about the seven-time world champion.
Former F1 driver Philippe Streiff, who was paralyzed in a 1989 crash, told Le Parisien newspaper on Sunday that while the great German is still not able to speak, he is "starting to recognize those close to him."
As for Schumacher's future, Streiff added that "long term, he could hope one day to walk with crutches."
Streiff said he had heard the news from Schumacher's wife Corinna and the FIA-linked doctor Gerard Saillant.
But speaking to the French-language news agency AFP, Saillant hit back at Streiff's claims.
"For a year, I have had no verbal, written or physical contact with Philippe Streiff," he said through an FIA spokesman.
And Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm was quoted by the German newspaper Bild as also rejecting the report based on Streiff's comments.
"I can only wonder about these statements of Philippe Streiff," she said. "He certainly has no contact with Professor Saillant or with Corinna.
"Between Mr. Streiff and Michael, there has also never been a friendship," added Kehm.
As for Streiff's comments suggesting Schumacher, 45, is making progress one year after his skiing accident, Kehm said: "We need a long time.
"It's going to be a long time and a hard fight," she told Reuters.
"He is making progress appropriate to the severity of the situation."
Meanwhile, Schumacher has retained the loyal backing of most of his personal sponsors.
It was reported earlier that, after the German mineral water company Rosbacher deal ended, Schumacher also lost the backing of the fashion brands Navyboot and Jet Set.
However, the DPA news agency insists that Rosbacher in fact remains committed to the great 45-year-old, as does the luxury Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet.
And Robert Peil, representing Schumacher's long-time cap sponsor Deutsche Vermogensberatung, insisted: "It is obvious to us that we stand together (with him) even in bad times."
Also still supporting Schumacher is his last F1 employer Mercedes-Benz, the doors and gates brand Hormann, and the helmet manufacturer Schuberth.
Kehm insisted: "Our concept has always been cooperation based on partnership and friendship on a personal basis. This connectedness pays off today.
"Almost all of the partnerships are still there," she added.
