Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is no longer in a coma and has left the hospital, a report released early Monday stated.

The 45-year-old German racer was placed in a medically induced coma in December after suffering a head injury while skiing in the French Alps late last year.

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According to Schumacher's agent, the athlete awoke from the coma and has now left the University of Grenoble hospital in France where he was receiving medical treatment.

Since December, fans of the Formula One racer have been staging a steady vigil outside the Grenoble hospital where Schumacher was staying.

Reportedly, many of them traveled from countries all across Europe to pay their respects to the injured athlete.

In a statement released by his agent, Schumacher's family wished to issue a special thanks to the doctors who treated him as well as the fans who stood by the racer after his injury.

"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," the statement read.

His family further stated that they hope the racer can continue his rehabilitation in private and away from the public eye.

Schumacher is a seven-time Formula One world champion and has been lauded as one of the greatest F1 racers of all time.

In 2002, he became the only driver in F1 history to finish in one of the top three slots in every race of that season. Furthermore, in 2004 Schumacher broke the record for most races won in a single season - and incredible 13 in total.

TagsF1, Michael Schumacher, coma, recovering