Michael Schumacher: Former Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa sends support and reveals he is 'praying every day' for his recovery

Massa wore a helmet with 'Schumi' written across the visor in tribute to his friend and former team-mate as he continues to be treated for severe brain injuries sustained in a skiing accident

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 23 January 2014 13:33 GMT
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Felipe Massa paid tribute to his former team-mate Michael Schumacher during his annual charity karting race in Brazil by wearing 'Schumi' across his visor
Felipe Massa paid tribute to his former team-mate Michael Schumacher during his annual charity karting race in Brazil by wearing 'Schumi' across his visor

Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has shown his support to his ex-team-mate Michael Schumacher as he continues to be treated for severe brain injuries following a skiing accident last month that has left him in an induced coma.

Massa took part in an annual charting karting event in his native Brazil with ‘Schumi’ written across his visor, and admitted he is praying for the seven-time world champion to pull through.

In a statement released on the Ferrari website, Massa wrote: “Dear Michael, my great friend, you helped me so much in my career, and I pray for you every day.

“I want to see you stronger than ever, just as always. I give you a big hug.”

Schumacher is currently being treated by doctors in the Grenoble University Hospital after hitting his head on a rock while skiing off-piste. His manager Sabine Kehm has confirmed that he remains in a “stable” condition, though it is not yet known whether he will recover from his injuries.

The 45-year-old German has his wife Corinna maintaining a constant bedside vigil, and the Schumacher family issued a statement earlier this week in which they thanked everyone for their support and tributes to the former Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes driver.

The statement, which was issued after German Bundesliga clubs Cologne and Schalke displayed a banner in support of Schumacher before their friendly last week, read: “We are deeply touched by all the messages to get well soon for Michael which still are being sent. That gives us strength. Thank you all so much.

Players from Cologne (R) and Schalke (L) hold up a banner in tribute to Michael Schumacher

“Thank you to the fan club in Kerpen, to FC Cologne and Schalke 04, but also to everybody else and other fan groups who are supporting Michael.

“We all know, he is a fighter and will not give up.”

Schumacher took Massa under his wing when the Brazilian joined the Italian manufacturer in 2006, which proved to be the German’s final year with the team he joined in 1996 as he announced his first retirement from the sport, only to return with Mercedes in 2010.

Massa was released by Ferrari at the end of last season as they resigned the 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, with the Brazilian joining Williams to partner Valteri Bottas for the 2014 season.

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