Luca di Montezemolo has hinted Felipe Massa has done enough to stay at Ferrari in 2013.
Reports on Thursday quoted the Ferrari president as saying it will take "a few more days" until the identity of Fernando Alonso’s next teammate is decided.
Other reports have said Brazilian Massa will secure an eighth consecutive season with the famous Maranello based team, with an announcement possibly imminent.
When asked about Massa, Montezemolo said at the Paris motor show: "I hope that the progress we have seen since Spa, on the results side but also psychologically, are confirmed in Japan."
The Japanese grand prix at Suzuka will be held next weekend.
On Spaniard and championship leader Alonso, Montezemolo said the 31-year-old is the "strongest driver I have ever seen".
"He also impresses me for three reasons; the interpretation of the race and especially the tyre wear, his great motivational influence on the team, and his (regular) presence at Maranello," he added.