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Tokyo - The late Jules Bianchi's father has urged the world not to lose hope about the recovery of F1 legend Michael Schumacher.
Updates about the condition of the great seven time world champion has been scarce since he left hospital to return home to Switzerland more than a year ago.
International reports in the last 24 hours, however, have said that the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver now weighs less than a mere 45kg, cannot walk or talk and has limited consciousness.
'Michael is still there, he fights'
But as he gave an interview to France's RMC on the one-year anniversary of his son's ultimately-fatal Suzuka crash, Philippe Bianchi told the Schumacher family and the wider world not to give up hope.
Bianchi said: "We unfortunately experienced a painful tragedy as well, and like us they (the Schumacher family) showed their strength and have never let go of Michael.
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"I have no news about him so I can't comment on anything because we don't always know what the sources (of the Schumacher news) are. For what I can say, it is to not let go.
"So long as Michael is still there, he fights. He is the greatest champion that formula one has known.
"Jules was very touched by the accident that happened to him (Schumacher) and today I pray that he can get through it, as he is still there and there is always hope.'