The Brazilian was in Maranello to test out the new Ferrari 458 Italia as well as doing some practice in the retired F2007 in order to get himself warmed up. Massa has been absent from f1 since July this year due to the incident where he was hit by debris during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

There are speculations that Massa make his comeback during the Brazilian GP this coming weekend.

Source: www.Ferrari.com

“We have said before that it is possible that Michael Schumacher could return to help us out… We have two test drivers at Ferrari (Luca Badoer and Marc Gene) at the moment and Michael is an advisor. We have not spoken to him, but it is possible that this might happen. But we will have to wait and see what happens. It is something for (Ferrari team principal) Stefano Domenicali to consider over the coming weeks.”

It does make sense for Michael to return (temporarily) into the cockpit, we still know that he is unarguably the best driver that Ferrari ever got. For Michael to take on Massa’s seat, that’s going to be really interesting. A fight between Kimi Raikonnen and Michael Schumacher, the Finnish and the German again (Hakkinen VS Schumacher).

Sources: AutoBlog

Massa’s father Luiz Antonio said, “Felipe is better and better, I would not say from day to day but rather from hour to hour.”

Animated video of the crash:

Sources: YouTube
F1-Live

1. Michael Schumacher
2. Fernando Alonso
3. Sebastian Bourdais
4. Jacques Villeneuve

Michael Schumacher is currently a consultant for Ferrari, and it’s a no brainer that he’s the priority in Ferrari to temporarily take the seat. But that said, his agent Willi Weber do not believe that the seven time world champion will continue to race, but sources reports that Michael might actually take the seat.

Fernando Alonso has been noted as the next person to take on Kimi Raikonnen’s seat for season 2010. Since Renault F1 is suspended for the next race following it’s drama at the Hungarian GP (loose wheel), rumor sees a one shot Ferrari drive for Alonso in Valencia. This will certainly boost up the ticket sales as this will be Alonso’s home race. But what will Flavio Briatore say?

Sebastian Bourdais was sacked by Toro Rosso, another Ferrari powered team, and co-incidentally, his agent happens to be Nicolas Todt who is also Felipe Massa’s Agent, and we all know the name Todt (Son of Jean Todt). Bourdais is a four time Champ Car Champion, and in order for him to get a ride in Formula 1 next year, he will need an opportunity like this to prove himself worthy.

Jacques Villeneuve, the old dog of the pack. The 1997 World Champion has been working hard to get a spot for next year, and he is also rumored to be racing with USF1 in 2010. He is certainly working on securing a temporary contract with Ferrari. Perhaps being a World Champion might just attract Ferrari.

We are all hoping that Massa will return this year, but with his current injury, chances are vague. Now, let the ball start rolling.

Sources: F1-Live

Other than his Skull and Brain injuries, Felipe Massa’s left eye is injured during the crash. This is not good news for his future in motor racing. F1-Live reports “Robert Veres was the surgeon who operated on the Ferrari driver on Saturday night, and he has revealed that Massa’s eye was hurt in the qualifying accident but doesn’t “know the quality of this damage.”"

Yes, tests might show that everything is running well, but that said, a knocked in the head and a crash after that is pretty nasty and gosh he is lucky. We all do hope that Massa will recover, Formula 1 needs him.

Sources: F1-Live

Massa is currently in the AEK military hospital’s intensive care unit seeking for treatment. He will definitely miss this weekends race in Hungary (Hungaroring).

Video of the crash:

UPDATE

Felipe Massa underwent surgery on the life-threatening skull injury about an hour after arriving at the hospital. Doctors said “his condition was serious, life threatening but stable “  at a news conference.

The spring which had fallen of Ruben Barrichello’s car flew up and struck Massa in the helmet, Massa lost conciousness for about 2 seconds but was enough for him to lose control and crash straight into the tire barrier. Initially commentators were speculating it was a beer can that had been thrown by the crowd but a quick look at the reply showed exactly what had happened.

The spring which had come of Ruben’s car was a standard component of the Brawn GP car which is believed to made out of steel. The spring had damaged the left side of Massa’s helmet, ripping out the visor and leaving a long dent on the side of the helmet.

Fellow Brazillian Barrichello, went to the hospital to visit his fellow countryman. He said that Massa appeared to be doing fine depsive the cut above the eye brow.

We at EngineLounge wish Massa a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in the driver’s seat for the next race in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sources: F1-Live,

AP

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