Schumacher – who drove for Brawn at Benetton, Ferrari and Mercedes – suffered a life-threatening head injury in a skiing accident in 2013.

Following a lengthy stay in hospital, he has since been convalescing in private at the family home in Geneva, Switzerland.

"The family have chosen to conduct Michael's convalescence in private and I must respect that," Brawn told BBC Sport.

"There are encouraging signs and we are all praying every day that we see more of them. So it is difficult for me to say very much and respect the family's privacy.

"All I would say is there is a lot of speculation about Michael's condition. Most of it is wrong and we just pray and hope every day that we continue to see some progress and that one day we can see Michael out and about and recovered from his terrible injuries."

In September it emerged during a German court case that Schumacher is unable to walk, following a claim last December to the contrary by a German magazine.