Lewis Hamilton on Michael Schumacher: Mercedes driver delighted at 'amazing' news that former champion is out of a coma

Schumacher was moved to a rehab ward on Monday

Lewis Hamilton is delighted at the 'amazing' news that Michael Schumacher is out of a coma (Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton has said he is encouraged and excited by the news that Michael Schumacher is out of a coma following five and a half months in intensive care.

The seven-time Formula One world champion was released from Grenoble University Hospital this week where he had spent time recovering from a life-threatening ski accident in December.

Speaking at a Mercedes press event, Hamilton said: “It’s amazing news. I always keep him in my thoughts and prayers and it’s a real positive to hear that there’s some progress.

“I’ve been trying to keep an ear out for what’s going on but not really hearing of any improvements.”

Schumacher was moved to a rehabilitation ward at the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland yesterday although his manager Sabine Kehm warned that he could face a lengthy and drawn out recovery process.

But Hamilton, who alongside Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg has carried a #KeepFightingMichael sign on his car this season, was nevertheless upbeat: “To hear that he is really in that wake-up phase is just really encouraging and it is exciting, and hopefully this is the first step on the ladder.”

Although Schumacher is no longer in a coma and is reportedly able to communicate with medical staff and his family, there is no telling how long his rehabilitation might take or indeed if he will make a full recovery.

When announcing the news yesterday, Schumacher’s manager Kehm said: “The family wishes to thank all the people who have sent all the many good wishes to Michael. We are sure it helped him.

“For the future we ask for understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye.”