The father of Jules Bianchi claims his family are "living a nightmare" but insists his son "will not give up" his fight for life.

In the wake of Bianchi's horrific accident during the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month, Philippe Bianchi has revealed Jules' situation is "desperate" and it is "a miracle" he is still alive.

The 25-year-old Marussia driver suffered a diffuse axonal injury to his brain, where the damage is more widespread, following a crash into a recovery vehicle at Suzuka.

The Frenchman underwent immediate surgery at the Mie General Medical Centre in Yokkaichi but remains in a critical condition.

Philippe, along with Bianchi's mother Christine, brother Tom and sister Melanie have maintained a constant bedside vigil ever since.

Speaking for the first time since the accident, Philippe said: "The situation is desperate. Every time the telephone goes we know it could be the hospital to tell us Jules is dead. He will not give up, I'm sure of that. I can see it. I believe it.

"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."

Philippe concedes the days since the accident have been "tough", adding: "The life of this family has been destroyed. We are living a nightmare. Everyone keeps asking how Jules is but there is no answer. It's very serious, but he's stable.

"One day he seems a bit better, other days a bit worse. The damage from the accident is very bad, but we don't know how it will evolve."

Clinging to hope, Philippe said: "When Jules gets a bit better we can transfer him, maybe to Tokyo and things will be a bit easier.

"But who knows when that will happen - if it will happen. We have no certainties, we just have to wait."