Ross Brawn is confident there will be "solutions" to Michael Schumacher's brain injuries in the future.
The F1 sporting boss is a close friend of F1 legend Schumacher, whose family is keeping the health condition of the seven time world champion secret.
Brawn says Schumacher's wife Corinna and children Mick and Gina-Maria have been through "such a tough time" in the five years since the skiing crash.
"They have never relented with their support for Michael and their belief there will be solutions ahead," he told BBC 5 Live.
"We're all optimistic about finding solutions in the future and there will be a time when things move forward for Michael."