Michael Schumacher coming home from hospital

The German legend has been in hospital in Grenoble ever since hitting his head while skiing off piste at Meribel at the end of 2013.

The family confirmed in a statement that the driver, 45, will return to his home to continue his treatment.

"Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months," the statement read.

"There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead."

The statement reiterated the family's request for privacy and added that "it should not be assumed that massive changes in his health status were the reasons for the move", as well as clarifying that no building work at his home has taken place to cater for his condition.

Schumacher suffered severe head injuries in a ski accident in Meribel in the French Alps on Dec. 29 and was transferred by ambulance to Lausanne in June after emerging from a coma.

He underwent nearly three months of treatment in an outdoor section of the hospital known as "Jardin des Sens" or Garden of the Senses, shielded from view. It specialises in the recovery of severely traumatised neurological patients by exposing them to water, scents and other elements.

he family home is along Lake Geneva in the Swiss town of Gland, where he has lived quietly for years with his German wife Corinna and their two teenaged children.

Since the accident, she has visited her husband almost daily in Grenoble and Lausanne, taking time out recently for horse riding events or to attend the Montreux Jazz Festival in July.

Last month a man suspected of leaking Schumacher's medical files was found hanged in his police cell, Zurich's cantonal prosecutor said.

The man, who was not named, worked as a manager at Swiss air rescue service Rega, which was involved in Schumacher's transfer from Grenoble hospital to University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV).

The French daily "Le Dauphine Libere" reported in July that leaked documents were being offered to European media for some 60,000 Swiss francs.

Schumacher's family, via his agent Kehm, had said criminal charges and damages would be sought against anyone involved in the illegal sale or publication of his confidential records.

Other medical experts have offered similar prognoses, with a former F1 doctor cautioning fans to "fear the worst" and adding that any recovery could never be complete from such a serious incident.