Official: Michael Schumacher no longer in a coma

Michael Schumacher is no longer in a coma, the F1 great’s management announced early on Monday.

"He is not in a coma anymore," the media statement - the first in over two months - read, add.

It announced that the 45-year-old former Mercedes and Ferrari driver has left the hospital in Grenoble for the first time since his skiing accident last December.

Schumacher will now "continue his long phase of rehabilitation" elsewhere, the statement added.

The statement thanked hospital staff for their "excellent job", and also those who have sent the seven time world champion "good wishes".

"We are sure it helped him," said Schumacher’s management.

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

Full press release

"Michael has left the CHU Grenoble to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore.

"His family would like to explicitly thank all his treating doctors, nurses and therapists in Grenoble as well as the first aiders at the place of the accident, who did an excellent job in those first months.

"The family also wishes to thank all the people who have sent Michael all the many good wishes to Michael. We are sure it helped him.

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