Jules Bianchi has been transferred to a French hospital following a slight improvement of his condition, his family have confirmed.
The Marussia driver, who suffered life threatening head injuries following a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix seven weeks ago, remains unconscious and in an critical condition, but is no longer in an induced coma.
The slight improvement of his condition has allowed medical teams to move Bianchi from a hospital in Yokkaichi, where he has remained since the accident, to a hospital in Nice in his native France.
Bianchi’s family have also confirmed that the 25-year-old is breathing unaided for the first time since the crash.
“Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious,” read a statement from Bianchi’s family.
“He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as ‘critical’. His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with the improvement of his brain function.
“Jules’ neurological condition remains stable. Although the situation continues to be serious, and may remain so, it was decided that Jules was sufficiently stable to be repatriated to his native France.
“We are relieved, therefore, to confirm that Jules was transferred aeromedically last night from the Mie Prefectural General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan, to Le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (CHU), where he arrived just a short time ago.
“Jules is now in the intensive care unit of Professors Raucoules and Ichai, where his care will also be monitored by Professor Paquis, Head of Neurosurgery Service.”