Massa set for Schumacher helmet tribute

Melbourne: 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."