Thread: || Massa ComeBack ||

from F1.com

Ferrari gearing up for first Massa test
Felipe Massa has taken another step towards his Formula One comeback after Ferrari won approval from the FIA for him to test in an older car. Massa fractured his skull in a qualifying crash at July’s Hungarian Grand Prix and is now back in training ahead of his planned return at next March’s season-opening Bahrain race.

Massa, who got back behind the wheel of a kart in Sao Paulo last week, will be at Ferrari’s Maranello base from Monday to use the team’s F1 simulator in anticipation of a possible test in a 2007-spec machine, which would be carried out by medical representatives rather than Ferrari.

FIA stewards have decided such a test would not breach the current regulations, as long as the car uses no 2009 components and runs on GP2 tyres. Michael Schumacher used a similar set-up with a customer-owned Ferrari F2007 when he was preparing for his anticipated comeback earlier in the year.

No date has yet been confirmed for the test and Ferrari have played down speculation that Massa could return to competition this season. They have not completely ruled out a comeback at the final round in Abu Dhabi, but the Brazilian would have to pass a strict FIA medical for that to even be considered.

Massa was replaced by Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer at the European and Belgian Grands Prix, before the team signed Giancarlo Fisichella from Force India for the subsequent races. Fisichella is to be retained as third driver next season, when Massa will partner new team mate Fernando Alonso.

Like!

I wonder if they changed their minds after seeing Ferrari passing the denial letter around in the pits during the live broadcast?

Good to hear he is on his way to a comeback!

Felipe Massa returns to Maranello

Felipe Massa returned to Ferrari’s base in Maranello on Monday for the first since he fractured his skull in a qualifying crash at July’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Massa, who got back behind the wheel of a kart in Brazil last week, used the Italian outfit’s F1 simulator, caught up with team members and attended various technical meetings.

“I'm finally back home," the Brazilian told Ferrari’s official website. "This is my second family and I couldn't wait to see them again, all the people I've been working with for many years and who have been close to me these days. Now I can really say that I start working again. There’s a lot to do, but I'm happy.”

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali added: “It's good to have Felipe back with us and I'm happy that I can embrace him again. We called (Ferrari) chairman Luca di Montezemolo together and he was happy to say hello to Felipe, wishing him well for his work. Felipe has to get back on top. He has a demanding period ahead of him with constant activities, but he knows that we're not in a hurry.”

Massa is hoping to make his Formula One return at March’s Bahrain Grand Prix, which is the first race of the 2010 season. Ferrari have won approval from the FIA for the 28 year-old to test a 2007-spec machine in the near future, although a date for the on-track session is yet to be confirmed.

Very good news! I hope he's going to be even better!

Nice to hear he's recovering quickly.

Massa spends six hours in the simulator

Felipe Massa’s recovery from the fractured skull he sustained at July’s Hungarian Grand Prix picked up pace on Tuesday, with the Brazilian completing six hours behind the wheel of Ferrari’s simulator in Modena. Massa has journeyed to visit the Italian team this week as he continues preparations to return to his Formula One cockpit.

“We worked very well, without any problems,” Massa told Ferrari’s official website. “The simulator uses an A1GP single-seater, so it’s not exactly like Formula One, but pretty close. I ‘drove’ on the track in Barcelona to avoid creating an even bigger test atmosphere.

“The work was more than anything else a way to get back in contact with a car. Obviously I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of a real single-seater. I miss Formula One a lot. It’s my passion more than my job.”

With the FIA granting Ferrari permission to run Massa in an older car on GP2 tyres, the 28 year-old may not have to wait much longer. Although Ferrari have said there will be no test this week, the team and Massa are hopeful it will be sooner rather than later. He will continue to run in the simulator on Wednesday.

its difficult to come back mentally after such serious crashes. The simulator is not an indicator unfortunately. Once he does come back and participates in a race, we will see if his head is where it needs to be. I really wish him well!

more news

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa has admitted he isn’t expecting to return to the Formula One grid this season. Massa, who fractured his skull during qualifying for July’s Hungarian Grand Prix, described the probability that he’d race at November’s season finale in Abu Dhabi as ‘really low’, during a web chat with fans on Ferrari’s official website.

This week the Brazilian has stepped up his training programme, spending two days on the Italian team’s static simulator on Tuesday and Wednesday in Modena. He’s expected to journey to Paris on Friday to undergo an FIA medical. If he is declared fit to drive, he could test a 2007-spec car on Monday.

"I hope that I'll be back soon, but I also know that the best thing is that I come back 100 per cent at the start of the next season,” he explained."My dream would be to race in Abu Dhabi, but the possibility is really, really low.

“On Monday, if the weather is fine, I should finally be behind the wheel of a Formula One single-seater. I hope that I can do many miles and do well, not only in terms of performance but also as far as constant lap times are concerned. I'm confident and I think that there won't be any problems."

Although he won’t be racing, the 28 year-old is scheduled to attend next weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, after he was invited by organisers to wave the chequered flag at the Interlagos race.

amazing! what a speedy recovery, hope he takes his time so he is full throttle for next season!