Michael Schumacher out of coma, leaves Grenoble hospital

Berlin: Michael Schumacher's manager says the Formula One great is no longer in a coma and has left a French hospital where he had been receiving treatment since a skiing accident in December.

Manager Sabine Kehm says in a statement that Schumacher has left the hospital in Grenoble "to continue his long phase of rehabilitation." The statement did not say where the seven-time F1 champion was taken or give any details of his condition.

Kehm adds: "For the future we ask for understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye."

The retired German racer’s condition had remained stable but critical after he slammed his head on a rock while skiing off-piste in France on December 27 last year.

"The clinical state of Michael Schumacher is stable as he's under permanent care and treatment," Grenoble hospital had said in an earlier statement.

Schumacher was in an induced coma since being hospitalized and had undergone two operations in Grenoble.

Schumacher, who turned 45 this year, is the most successful Formula One driver of all time with 91 race victories.

He left the sport last year after a disappointing three-year comeback with Mercedes following an earlier retirement from Ferrari at the end of 2006.

Agencies