Felipe Massa said he saw Michael Schumacher's mouth move as he spoke to him in hospital.
The racing driver said he feels 'very positive' about his friend's condition following a recent visit to the seven-time Formula One champion in hospital.
When asked about his friend's condition by journalists, Massa replied: 'He was sleeping, and I was very positive because he was normal.
'He looks normal, and he also gave some reactions with the mouth and everything. So it's positive to look at him.
'I have no experience to say anything. I'm not a doctor. But when I saw him, for me, it looked very positive.'
It is almost eight weeks since Schumacher was placed in an induced coma following a skiing accident.
He required two operations to remove blood clots from his brain following his fall in December.
Speaking to reporters at the Sakhir circuit, Massa said: 'I always try to be optimistic.
'I saw him, I talked to him, I told him everything I did in Jerez (at the first test), about my car, the new team (Williams), everything. I told him to wake up many times... I'm positive. We need to believe.
'It's always very difficult to say because I have zero experience about what the doctors say.
'But I saw him and was very happy to be together with him for a very long time, talking to him, trying to give the best energy and just help him.
'He's a very strong man, a very great man and I really hope he can wake up, and I really hope he can enjoy his life again.'
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