Michael Schumacher update: Schumacher still fighting; Maurizio Arrivabene denies insulting fallen F1 great

Michael Schumacher at the 2012 Chinese Grand PrixWikimedia Commons/ emperornie

Michael Schumacher continues to fight his current state, reportedly showing signs of improvements ever since that ski accident he suffered way back in December 2013.

Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) President Jean Todt reportedly shared in a recent interview that Schumacher is still fighting. He is one of Schumi's close friends who regularly check on the condition of the fallen F1 racer and is pin their hopes for some breakthrough on Schumacher's fight for survival.

Schumacher's progress has been at snail's pace but hope still lingers in the air. The real score on his condition has been tightly kept private, with information on Schumacher's condition barely being spread to the public.

Aside from Todt, other friends who have been keeping tabs on his condition include Benetton and Ferrari Technical Director Ross Brawn and Ferrari President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

Both would rather look at what Schumacher has done for motorsports and likewise keep a positive outlook alongside other friends who are not giving up hope that Schumacher will somehow show significant progress at some point.

And as most of Schumacher's friends are pledging their moral support, Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene has been drawing some flak for a controversial comparison he made on Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.

"Michael was an introvert who opened up only to a small circle of people," said Arrivabene via Motor Sport. "Seb is sunnier – the boys regard him as one of them."

Arrivabene clarified that he was not hurling insults at Shumacher and that the whole thing was a bit blown out of proportion.

He adds that like most of Schumacher's supporters and friends, he too prays for the recovery of the F1 legend whom he considers as one of the best champions alongside Vettel.

As far as his comments are concerned, he explains that people should not have taken them in a negative light but rather the opposite.