Story highlights
- Jules Bianchi out of artificial coma, his family says
- Bianchi is still unconscious but breathing unaided
- Marussia driver crashed in closing stages of Japanese GP at Suzuka
- Bianchi has been airlifted home to his native France
Marussia driver Jules Bianchi is out of an artificial coma and has been flown home to his native France, his parents said Wednesday in an update on his condition.
Bianchi was left with severe head injuries after a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 5 and has been treated in a high dependency unit at Yokkaichi hospital.
"Jules is no longer in the artificial coma in which he was placed shortly after the accident, however he is still unconscious," said the statement released by his parents Philippe and Christine.
"He is breathing unaided and his vital signs are stable, but his condition is still classified as 'critical'."
F1 driver suffered serious brain injury 02:21
F1 driver Jules Bianchi injured in crash 01:22
But they added that his condition was deemed to be "sufficiently stable" for him to have been airlifted back to a hospital near the 25-year-old's family home in Nice.
Bianchi's car went off the track at speed during the closing stages of the race at the Suzuka circuit nearly seven weeks ago, plowing into a recovery truck.
The accident shocked the close knit world of Formula One, and many tributes have been paid to Bianchi since the accident seven weeks ago.
The two points he gained with a superb drive in the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this season left minnows Marussia in ninth place in the constructors' championship, but while he has been lying in a coma the team has folded after entering administration.
The more hopeful news of Bianchi's repatriation, although the update stressed "the situation continues to be serious and may remain so," comes in the week of the final race of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi.
"We are thankful that the next phase of Jules' treatment can continue close to home, where he can be surrounded and supported by his wider family and friends.
"His treatment now enters a new phase concerned with brain function," it added.
