Michael Schumacher's French doctor confirmed that he is finally out of coma after six months of treatment from a ski accident.

Jean-Francois Payen, the French physician who treated Michael Schumacher during coma incident said that he could recover in three years.

The Formula One star had a near death skiing accident in the French Alps on Dec. 29. He was with his 14 year old son when he fell and cracked his helmet after hitting the side of his head on a rock. After suffering as severe head injury from the accident, Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma to help reduce swelling in his brain.

Schumacher, 45, was initially treated at CHU Grenoble and was transferred to Lausanne university hospital in Switzerland. The F1 formula racer was brought home after a stay at Lausanne University.

In a BBC report, the family then asked for understanding that his rehabilitation period will take place away from the public eye. But the media pressure still continued at one point when a journalist disguised himself as a priest to get access to Schumacher's bedside. Some of his medical records were stolen.

Schumacher's coma doctor told how he and his team had to give up their mobile phones to avoid media and could only go to work through an enclosed cark park.

Payen, who treated during Schumacher's coma, said he has visited the Schumacher's home in Switzerland to closely monitor his patient's progress. He predicted an improvement for one to three years for life after a head injury takes on gradual stages of recovery.

"I have seen some progress but I would say give him time. It's like other patients, we are in a timescale that ranges from one year to three years, so it takes patience," Dr Payen said in his first public comment after the accident.