Formula One champion Michael Schumacher suffered a serious head injury while skiing in the French Alps resort of Meribel, French media reported on Sunday.

The seven-time world racing champion has been taken to hospital, Europe 1 and RMC radio reported.

"He has been taken to a hospital in Grenoble," the resort director, Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, told radio RMC.

"I can't tell how serious his injury is," he added.

The 44-year-old German quit Formula One last year (2012) after a three-year comeback with Mercedes following his earlier retirement from Ferrari. He managed only one podium finish during his three years with Mercedes

Schumacher won seven world championships and secured 91 race victories during a 19-year career in Formula 1. He won two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995 before switching to Ferrari in 1996 and going on to win five straight titles from 2000.