BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Felipe Massa completed successful surgery after fracturing his skull in a high-speed crash Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Italian team says the 28-year-old Brazilian driver will remain in intensive care, although it does not know how long he will stay under observation. He was conscious and in stable condition when he arrived at AEK hospital by helicopter with a concussion.
The crash occurred Saturday after a spring had fallen off another car and flew up and struck Massa in the helmet. An apparently dazed Massa continued driving over a curb and across the track. He went through the gravel area alongside the Formula One circuit before striking a tire-lined barrier.
The impact of the rear suspension part — a standard component which Brawn GP team principal Ross Brawn believed was made of steel — damaged the left side of Massa's helmet, ripping out the visor and leaving a long dent on its side. Blood was seen above Massa's left eye.
"Following a complete medical examination it emerged that he had suffered a cut on his forehead, a bone damage of his skull and a brain concussion," Ferrari said in a statement.
Barrichello, a fellow Brazilian, went to the medical center to check on Massa's condition and said the Ferrari driver appeared to be doing fine despite the cut above his left eye.
"He was in shock," Barrichello told The Associated Press. "Considering the gravity of the accident, I think he's in OK shape."
Massa appeared to regain consciousness just before the crash at turn No. 4 as his front brakes seemed to lock before the violent impact.
He remained in the car for a considerable time and was assisted out before being taken to the medical center. He was then taken to the helicopter on a stretcher, wearing a neckbrace.
The front of his Ferrari was shredded, with both tires having come off and the front nose open.
The crash comes less than a week after Henry Surtees, the son of former Formula One champion John Surtees, died in an F2 race on Sunday. Surtees was struck in the head by a tire from another car, causing him to lose consciousness and drive into a barrier.
"It is not a coincidence that something happened right now," Barrichello said. "Something needs to be done. Yes, absolutely."
No Formula One driver has died on the track since three-time champion Ayrton Senna's crash at Imola 15 years ago.
The accident was also reminiscent of Heikki Kovalainen's high-speed crash at last year's Spanish GP, when the McLaren driver slammed into a wall at high speed. Kovalainen spent the night in a hospital with a concussion.
"What happened to me in Barcelona was a very nasty accident. But I think it was a pretty freak accident and I don't know how to prevent that," Kovalainen said. "It was very unfortunate. But I think we should discuss it."
Surtees' death led drivers to discuss the issue of debris and head safety at length during their usual pre-race meeting on Friday.
Renault's Fernando Alonso took pole position for Sunday's race after qualifying was delayed for nearly 30 minutes because of Massa's accident.
Just saw some pics of this. The look on Massa's face as he's being lifted from his car is terrifying. I hope he's ok
You can see the spring hit him in this video and looks like it knocked him out if you listen to the audio.
Doctor says Massa's life no longer in danger
July 27, 2009
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -The neurosurgeon who operated on Felipe Massa said Monday his condition was no longer considered life-threatening, although damage to his eye and other injuries could prevent him from returning to Formula One.
Robert Veres said Massa was in stable condition and remained sedated ``to protect his brain,'' which had experienced some swelling. Massa has been woken up from time to time for tests, and his motor skills seemed to be functioning properly, Veres said.
However, he said Massa would definitely not return to the track this season, and that his long-term future in the sport was in doubt.
``I don't know (if he can return),'' Veres said. ``It's too early to say anything concerning his future, regarding the race.''
Veres was one of three surgeons who operated on Massa's multiple skull fractures Saturday, following his high-speed crash during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Massa was struck by a loose part from another car that bounced up and hit him in the helmet, giving him a concussion and sending his car into the protective tire barrier.
Several fragments of bone from the skull had to be removed during the operation, Veres said.
Doctors were particularly concerned about injuries to the 28-year-old Brazilian's left eye, but Veres said they didn't yet ``know the quality of this damage.''
``We don't know exactly because without operation it's very hard to evaluate function,'' Veres told reporters from the AEK military hospital, where Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo was also visiting Monday.
Veres said no more operations were planned at the moment, but couldn't rule out further surgery if his condition deteriorates.
``Anytime can be worse because of the complications, the nature of these injuries,'' he said. ``He has a brain contusion. It's fine now. A focal contusion because of the impact of the metal piece.''
Veres remained hopeful that Massa would walk again, as he was slowly recovering his motor skills and responding to doctors requests to move limbs. He remained on a respirator and would be sedated until his condition improved further.
Di Montezemelo said that Ferrari's first priority was Massa's health, but that the Italian team doesn't ``want to wait too long'' to decide on finding a driving replacement.
``Our first priority is Felipe's recovery, Felipe's progress and so on,'' said di Montezemelo, who was accompanied by team principal Stefano Domenicali, hospital director general Istvan Szilvasy and chief surgeon Lajos Zsiros. ``Felipe's been an important member of the Ferrari family for many years, since he arrived as a kid. We all hope that he can come back soon.''
Di Montezemelo said that Domenicali would remain with Massa and his family - which included pregnant wife Anna Rafaela - on Tuesday.
``Domenicali has to think and make good proposals for the future,'' Di Montezemelo said. ``We don't want to wait too long for Felipe. First priority now is to find out about Felipe, only at that moment will we take a decision.''
Massa will remain in Budapest for at least several days, although he could be moved within a week depending on his progress.
F1's governing body is investigating the crash, which comes amid a string of safety mishaps, including the death of an F2 driver last weekend after he was struck in the head by a loose tire from another car and crashed into a barrier.
No F1 driver has died on the track since Ayrton Senna's crash at Imola 15 years ago. The three-time champion died from head injuries after a violent crash.
Scary shit man, glad he will be ok for the most part.
Not real sure what you can do about something like this though. One of the hazards of the sport I guess. Luckily it doesn't happen very often