/ 29 December 2013

Former F1 champion Michael Schumacher suffers head injury

Seven-times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.
Seven-times Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.

Retired seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher suffered a head injury in a fall while skiing off-piste in the French Alps resort of Meribel on Sunday, an official said.

"He has been taken to a hospital in Moutiers," said resort director Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte.

The 44-year-old German was wearing a helmet and was conscious during the transport to hospital, he added, suggesting that Schumacher was less seriously injured than initial media reports indicated.

"He fell around 11.00am and hit a rock with his head," Gernigon-Lecomte said.

"It seems that he has suffered a head trauma, but I would not say how serious it is. He was conscious but very agitated while being taken to hospital."

Schumacher, who celebrates his birthday on January 3, is the most successful Formula One driver of all time with a record 91 victories among his achievements. He won his titles with Benetton and Ferrari.

He left the sport last year after a three-year comeback with Mercedes following an earlier retirement from Ferrari at the end of 2006. He lives in Switzerland with his wife and two children. – Reuters