rediff.com
rediff.com  web 

Massa back on track in F1 car

'Felipe and the team want to proceed gradually'

Last updated on: October 12, 2009 17:06 IST
     Next

Ferrari's Brazilian driver Felipe Massa got back behind the wheel of a Formula One car Monday less than three months after his life-threatening accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

He drove the 2007 Ferrari race car at the Fiorano circuit near the Italian team's Maranello headquarters, Italian media reported.


Image: Felipe Massa
Photographs: Reuters
     Next
Prev     More

Last week Massa, who fractured his skull after being hit by bouncing debris during qualifying in Hungary in July, said he had slight hopes of racing in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next month.

But the team made it clear before Monday's test that he will not make his competitive return until the start of next season.

"In no way does it (the test) signify a return to competition in the near future," read a statement on Ferrari's website.

"Felipe and the team want to proceed gradually and without any hurry to recover as well as possible from the effects of the accident that happened in Budapest back on July 25th. Therefore talk of a proper return to Formula 1 can wait until the start of the 2010 season."


Image: Felipe Massa

Prev     More
Source:
© Copyright 2009 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
 

Also Read

Schumacher pulls plug on Formula One return

Force India's Fisichella gets drive with Ferrari

Credit crunch weighs on Monaco GP

Formula One shuts down for summer break

Massa leads Ferrari one-two at Magny-Cours