Massa shows signs of improvement

Felipe Massa is attended to by F1 medical officer Gary Hartstein.

errari driver Felipe Massa has shown signs of improvement following surgery on a fractured skull in Hungary.

Massa, 28, who was hit by a spring from Ruben Barrichello's car, is now able to communicate "actively" and move his hands and legs but cannot speak.

A Ferrari spokesman said: "Felipe had a quiet night. He is okay, and he is due to have another CT scan today."

"We are optimistic in our hope that a slow recovery is beginning." said hospital spokesman Istvan Bocskai.

"He's woken up [from sedation] more often and is able to communicate actively," added Hungarian defence ministry spokesman Bocskai.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo will fly to Budapest's AEK military hospital on Monday to be at Massa's bedside, alongside the driver's father, mother and pregnant wife, who have all flown in from Brazil.

Massa sustained his injuries when a spring from fellow Brazilian Barrichello's car struck his helmet during Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, he then hit a tyre wall.

And following Kimi Raikkonen's second-place finish at the Hungaroring on Sunday, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali dedicated the result to Massa.

"At this time all our thoughts are with him and his family, and I think this sentiment also applies to those who are close to him and to fans all over the world," said Domenicali.

"Kimi drove a great race and the team worked in impeccable fashion, concentrating on the job, despite what happened.

"We got the best result we were capable of but please allow me on behalf of everyone at Ferrari to send our best wishes to Felipe. We love you and we are all thinking of you."

Race winner Lewis Hamilton extended his goodwill to Massa following the Briton's first victory of the season.

"Maybe I can speak for all the drivers but Saturday was quite a sad day and we missed Felipe," stated the defending world champion.

"For me, I've had a great relationship with Felipe for quite a few years now and some great battles with him.

"I'm just glad the surgery went well and we're just going to keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

"He's got a child coming, so he needs to get back into top shape so when he's finally a dad he can do the job well."

After being struck on the helmet by the 1kg spring from Barrichello's car, Massa's feet are believed to have come to rest on both the throttle and brake and his car ploughed head on into a tyre wall at about 125mph.




Massa was swiftly attended to by trackside medics before being taken to the circuit's medical centre, after which he was airlifted to hospital.

Meanwhile, Barrichello revealed his thoughts were with Massa, even during the race.

He conceded: "I would love to see him because he is a friend, not just because the spring came from my car.

"It is for the fact that I know he would have done the same for me. But at the same time I have to think of my kids, of my family, and to be there for them, so it is a bit of an emotional moment.

"It is burning a little bit in my stomach, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking of him in the the middle of the race."

Massa's accident came days after Formula Two driver Henry Surtees, 18, was killed in what was described as a freak accident during a race at Brands Hatch.

The son of motorsport legend John Surtees was struck by a wheel that flew off a competitor's car.