Michael Schumacher's former teammate Felipe Massa says the F1 legend remains in a "difficult situation" as he continues to recover from the serious injuries he suffered almost seven years ago.
Schumacher - widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers ever - sustained traumatic head injuries in a skiing accident in France in 2013, and was placed in a medically induced coma for six months.
He has since regained consciousness but reportedly struggles to communicate, and attended a Paris hospital last year for treatment by cardiovascular surgeon Philippe Menasche.
Massa raced with Schumacher at Ferrari in both 2003 - when the German won his penultimate world title - and 2006, and the two are believed to be good friends.
Speaking to Fox Sports Brazil about the 51-year-old's condition, Massa said: "I know how he (Schumacher) is, I have information.
"My relationship with him has always been very close. It is less close with his wife Corinna because she did not go to many races.
“But I think the main thing about all this is that we know that his situation is not easy.
"He is in a difficult phase but we need to respect him and the family."
Schumacher's 21-year-old son Mick currently competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, and Massa said his dream is to see his father in attendance at one of his races.
He continued: “I dream and pray every day that he gets better and that he can appear at a circuit again, especially now that his son is racing. So I pray that it may happen one day.
“As for Mick, I would suggest that we see how this season goes.
“It will be a very important season for him in Formula 2 and I would say that Mick needs to be given a little more time.”
