The father of Jules Bianchi says his family are "living a nightmare" and that "every time the telephone goes we know it could be the hospital to tell us Jules is dead".
Philippe Bianchi, speaking for the first time since his son's horrific accident during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 5 October, has revealed his son's situation is "desperate" and it is "a miracle" he is still alive.
However, he insists his son "will not give up" his fight for life. "I'm sure of that. I can see it. I believe it," he added.
Marussia driver Bianchi, 25, suffered a diffuse axonal injury to his brain, where the damage is widespread, after his car collided with a recovery vehicle at Suzuka.
Upon his arrival at the Mie General Medical Centre in Yokkaichi, the Frenchman underwent immediate surgery but he remains in a critical condition.
Bianchi's father, mother Christine, brother Tom and sister Melanie have since maintained a regular bedside vigil at the hospital.
In an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Bianchi's father added: "I speak to him. I know he can hear me. His doctors have told us this is already a miracle, no one has ever survived such a serious accident.
"But Jules won't give up. His trainer Andrea [Ferrari] says if there is one person who can make it happen, with his will, it's Jules."
He concedes that the past few days since the accident have been "tough", adding: "In a week the life of this family has been destroyed. What are we doing here? Living a nightmare in a place very far from home."
