Formula One legend Michael Schumacher remains in a medically induced coma , according to his agent , while one of his former teammates is `` praying '' for his recovery . The 45-year-old suffered a severe head injury while skiing on December 29 in the French Alps . `` Michael is still in the wake-up phase , '' said his manager Sabine Kehm in a statement on Friday . `` The situation has not changed . '' Germany 's seven-time world champion was placed into a medically-induced coma to help reduce swelling on the brain . Schumacher has had two operations to relieve pressure on his brain and to remove haematomas at Grenoble Hospital , France . Kehm once again confirmed that `` any medical information published which is not confirmed by the team of doctors treating Michael or his management has to be considered as not valid . '' His friend and fellow racing driver , Felipe Massa , says he is optimistic Schumacher will recover after visiting him in hospital last month . `` I pray for him every day , '' Massa told CNN . `` I believe things can be better and normal for him . `` I keep praying and hope everything will be fine . '' Schumacher , who retired from F1 in 2012 following a record-breaking 19-year career , had been skiing off-piste when he fell and hit his head against a rock . Last month , his family issued a statement where they said they still `` strongly believe '' in his recovery . They also conceded that the `` wake-up phase '' can take `` a long time . '' Schumacher , who won five consecutive titles with Ferrari between 2000-04 , also claimed two drivers ' championships at Benetton in 1994 and 1995 . Unlike his friend , Massa has found success harder to come by and ended his eight-year spell at Ferrari to join Williams for the 2014 season . The 32-year-old , who won eight grands prix with Ferrari , came agonizingly close to winning the drivers ' title in 2008 only to be defeated by Lewis Hamilton in the final race . Now the Brazilian hopes he can succeed with Williams following the unveiling of the British team 's new car . `` It 's my dream , '' said Massa of winning the sport 's top prize . `` I always had this dream and I 'll do everything I can to make it real . `` It 's very nice and important to me . I was very close to achieving that . `` We keep wishing , fighting and I think we need to believe all the time that things can change from one year to the next . `` It 's a new year and I hope we do well . ''
Michael Schumacher remains in medically induced coma . Michael agent : `` Williams is still in the wake-up phase '' Massa says he is praying for Schumacher 's recovery . Williams aiming to win drivers ' title with Felipe Massa .