REPORT: Massa to check out of hospital on Monday
More good news on the Felipe Massa front today as reports from AEK military hospital in Budapest indicate that the Brazilian driver will be flown back to his home country via private jet on Monday. Previously, it was expected that the Ferrari pilot, who suffered a fractured skull after a loose spring impacted his helmet in qualifying at the Hungarian GP, would be taken to Pitié Salpêtrière hospital in Paris for further treatment.
Massa's physician Dino Altmann, seen above answering questions from reporters, had positive things to say regarding the 28-year-old's recovery, denying that there was any damage to Massa's left eye. "In Brazil, he will continue his recovery and will go back into racing as soon as possible. I think this decision says all you need to know [about his condition]," he said. When told that Michael Schumacher was to take over his duties for the remainder of the 2009 F1 season, Massa quipped, "We'll see if I let him drive my car!"
Schumacher has just recently stepped back into a F1 car for testing, albeit one from the 2007 season. Current F1 rules preclude Schumacher from getting any seat time in the current F60 racer until the first official practice session for the European Grand Prix, slated to run the third week in August in Valencia, Spain. Schumacher has won this particular race a total of six times, most recently in 2006.
[Source: ITV | Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stumpy 5:34PM (7/31/2009)
Nice face. Looks like one of those pictures that will get "edited" all over the internet.
..
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Rich 6:34PM (8/01/2009)
Are they sure the loose spring came from *outside* his helmet?
Farmboy 5:39PM (7/31/2009)
And here I am doing my George W. Bush impression. Ta-da!!!
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Richard 5:40PM (7/31/2009)
Really great news!
Especially if you saw the incident.
I bet Massa is back before the end of the year.
Esp of Raikkonen goes off to the Rally and doesn't come back.
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Jared 3:26PM (8/01/2009)
Vidz or shens of said incident.... (I missed it on TV)
Richard 6:37PM (8/01/2009)
Try this...I know it is difficult...
http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=massa+hungary+crash
fmwso 5:40PM (7/31/2009)
That's good to hear. Hope he can get back to the tracks as soon as possible.
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JSams4131 6:01PM (7/31/2009)
woot
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gus 6:20PM (7/31/2009)
Michael won the European GP six times, but they are held at different circuits. IIRC, he never raced at the Valencia street circuit which was built/setup after he retired.
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clicketyclack 6:48PM (7/31/2009)
Right on, Gus. Valencia was a new circuit last year.
Chris 6:49PM (7/31/2009)
I'd like to see Massa be able to continue racing, but I'd still like to see what Schumi can do with this years car. I wouldn't be surprised if he jumped in and became fastest man on the track. Even if you are at the best team you don't get records like he did w/o being in a league of your own.
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Commander Cool 8:00PM (7/31/2009)
Good for him, I wish him the best of luck. I really hope he returns as strong as he was before. An incident like that can really mess with your mind.
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U.K. 5:26PM (8/02/2009)
Schumi plus Ross Brawn & Co with their pit strategies won the World Titles. Schumi on his own will be fast but doubtful he’ll win a race.
Hope Massa has a speedy recovery and gets back to racing.
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Galley 10:05PM (7/31/2009)
I would like to know more about the cute reporter!
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hydrogenvodka 10:23PM (7/31/2009)
wtf!