A neurosurgeon who operated on Felipe Massa following his accident in Hungary says he will miss the remainder of the season.
Brazilian remains in a "severe but not critical condition"
A neurosurgeon who operated on Ferrari driver Felipe Massa following his qualifying accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix has said that he will miss the remainder of the season.
Professor Robert Veres said the Brazilian "is in a severe but not critical condition and he is stable" in Budapest's AEK military hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on Saturday to repair a fractured skull.
"We can say that the immediate life-threatening condition has been averted but a complication could make it life-threatening again," Professor Veres warned.
He also said Massa, last year's championship runner-up, had signs of brain swelling and suffered damage to his left eye "but we do not know the extent (of the damage) yet".
Professor Veres, one of three surgeons who operated on Massa, also ruled out any return this season but added that it was too early to predict whether he has a long-term future in the sport.
"I don't know (if he can return)," he said. "It's too early to say anything concerning his future, regarding the race."
The 28-year-old is due to undergo another CT scan on Monday but, having been placed in a medically-induced coma, is now waking up and communicating "actively".
Spokesman Istvan Bocskai said: "He's woken up more and more often now and he's able to communicate actively, that is, he reacts when he's talked to.
"We are optimistic, in our hope a slow recovery is beginning," added Bocskai, who also said Massa was able to move his hands and legs.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, who is visiting Massa on Monday, said the team's main concern was for their driver and added that discussion of any replacement would come later.
"For us, the first priority is to find out Felipe's recovery progress and situation," di Montezemolo said. "Felipe is a very important member of the Ferrari family not just the Ferrari team.
"First priority now is to find out the situation with Felipe and then we will see and we will think, without pressure.
"Only at that moment will we make a decision and if we have to take a decision we will make a good decision."
Dedication
Team principal Stefano Domenicali dedicated Kimi Raikkonen's second place behind Lewis Hamilton in Sunday's race to Massa.
Domenicali, who visited his driver immediately after the race, said: "We dedicate the result to Felipe.
"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.
"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."
During the race itself, Massa's mechanics displayed a pit board in his garage with the message 'forza Felipe siamo con te' - 'strength Felipe we are with you'.
Massa's injuries stem from an incident during Saturday's second qualifying session when a spring from the suspension on Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car fell loose and hit his helmet at an estimated speed of 162 mph.
Concussed but with his foot still pressed firmly on the accelerator pedal, Massa then straightlined into a tyre barrier.
Recovery
Raikkonen, who joined Domenicali, Barrichello and Brawn GP team principal Ross Brawn on a visit to the hospital, is convinced his team-mate will make a full recovery.
"It's a sad thing that's happened from a very unlucky situation," the Finn said.
"But as long as we race with open cockpits our heads are always the first place that's going to be hit if something is flying around. It is part of racing and we all know that.
"What happened was really unfortunate, but luckily enough he's more or less okay.
"He's probably going to be a hundred percent fine in a little time. We in the team all hope he's going to be fine and come back soon."
