Summary Schumacher remains in a medically induced coma.
MELBOURNE (AFP) - Felipe Massa will display a message of support for Michael Schumacher at Sunday s Australian Grand Prix, the first Formula One race since a skiing accident left the German legend fighting for his life.
The Brazilian driver, a former teammate of Schumacher s with Ferrari, has said he will drive with the initials "MS" emblazoned on his helmet for the season opener in Melbourne.
Seven-time world champion Schumacher remains in a medically induced coma since hitting his head on a rock while skiing at the French resort of Meribel on December 29.
The 45-year-old is showing "small, encouraging signs" of recovery, his family said on Wednesday, while acknowledging that he faces a long battle ahead.
On Thursday Massa, who was a teammate of Schumacher s during the German s glory years at Ferrari in the early noughties, paid an emotional tribute to his friend on Twitter.
"Michael is always with me !! Be very strong Brother !! Love !! #19," he tweeted, signing off with his car number.
"I always think about him every day. I m praying for him every day," Massa told an official media conference Thursday.
"So I hope everything can go back and he ll be okay.
"For sure it was a shame to see what has happened, but I keep thinking about him.
"He s on my helmet and I ll keep praying and hope that things can be okay for him and he s coming back."
Schumacher s precarious condition has cast a dark cloud over the build up to the new F1 season with drivers and officials alike praying for the German s successful recovery.
President of the Federation International de l Automobile (FIA) Jean Todt, who was the principal of Ferrari during Schumacher s time with the Italian team, said he has visiting his former charge almost weekly.
"I am monitoring the situation every day," Todt told Britain s Daily Telegraph newspaper.
"I can tell you that we still have big hopes for Michael.
"He is a great guy, a great champion, a great human being, and I only hope that he can be back with us."
