The father of stricken Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi has admitted that he is "hoping for a miracle", as his son's condition remains "stagnant" seven months on from his accident.

Bianchi has been unconscious since crashing into a recovery vehicle during last October's Japanese Grand Prix, suffering severe head injuries that he has so far been unable to recover from.

In an interview with French TV station Canal +, an emotional Philippe Bianchi gave an update on his son's condition, claiming that the family are now preparing for the worst.

"While there's life, there's hope, even though after a while you are hoping for a miracle," he said. "Every day the phone is by our side. When we get up, we think of Jules's life but we think also of his death.

"We have to think about death because we are in a situation where we know a lot of things can happen. It's terrible. In neurological terms, I'm not sure he is able to do much now. The situation is stagnant. Jules's neurological progress is not what we would like it to be."

Bianchi was driving for Marussia when the crash took place last year.