Schumacher allowed homeposted in F109 | 09 | 2014

    MICHAEL SCHUMACHER, THE seven-times Formula One world champion, has been allowed home for the first time since he suffered head injuries in a skiing accident last December.

    The 45-year-old suffered severe brain injuries in a freak skiing accident in France with his son Mick.

    Schumacher — the former Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes driver — who was skiing off-piste at the time, fell and hit his head on a rock. Doctors stated afterwards it was only thanks to the protective helmet he was wearing that the injury did not prove fatal.

    Initially he was treated in a hospital in Grenoble in the months following the accident, before being moved in June.

    Most recently, he was treated at the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland, and today it was confirmed he will return to his home in Gland, near Lake Geneva and just 25 miles from the hospital where he has been cared for. He has been visited every day in hospital by his wife, Corinna.

    Related: 'Signs of awakening' for Schumacher

    Sabine Kehm, Schumacher’s manager, said that the former seven-times Formula One world champion was making progress but that recovery would take a long time.

    “Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months," the statement issued by Ms Kehm this afternoon, said. "There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead.

    “We would like extend our gratitude to the entire team at CHUV Lausanne (hospital) for their thorough and competent work. We ask that the privacy of Michael’s family continue to be respected, and that speculation about his state of health are avoided.”

    Schumacher underwent two life-saving operations in the weeks immediately after suffering his injuries. The first was to remove a subdural haematoma beneath the skull, the second to remove a blood clot on the brain.

    In June, Schumacher's family announced he had been brought out of the coma.

    Related: Hamilton wins at Monza

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    Jim McGill

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