FORMER Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has left a Swiss hospital to continue his recovery at home.
His manager, Sabine Kehm, said the seven-time champion from Germany has made "progress" since a skiing accident in December put him in a coma.
But she said Schumacher still has "a long and difficult road ahead".
The star has been in hospital in Lausanne since June, after spending six months at a hospital in France. He lives in Gland, near Geneva.
"Henceforth, Michael's rehabilitation will take place at his home," Ms Kehm said. "Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months.
"There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead. We ask that the privacy of Michael's family continue to be respected, and that speculation about his state of health are avoided."
Schumacher's accident happened on a family holiday as he was skiing with his 14-year-old son at the Meribel ski resort in the French Alps.
The avid skier hit the right side of his head on a rock, cracking his helmet. Doctors operated to remove blood clots from his brain, but some were left because they were too deeply embedded.
Schumacher's condition stabilised after he was placed in a drug-induced coma, from which he has since emerged.
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