Budapest, Hungary (Sports Network) - Felipe Massa's condition continued to improve Monday, but the doctor who operated on the Ferrari driver following his high speed crash said he believed the Brazilian will not likely return to his car in 2009.
Neurosurgeon Robert Veres addressed reporters at the AEK Hospital in Budapest on his current status and the likelihood of the Brazilian returning to competition in the future.
"It's too early to say anything concerning his future," Veres said.
During the second segment of Saturday's qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Massa ran off the course in turn four and slammed head on into the tire barrier after being struck on the head by a spring that came off Rubens Barrichello Brawn GP car. He underwent surgery for a fractured skull while also suffering a concussion and an injury to his left eye during the incident.
Massa underwent another brain scan without any difficulties. Veres noted that Massa was able to move his hand and legs. The extent of the injury to his eye has not yet been confirmed.
Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo said he was optimistic about Massa's condition after visiting the driver in the hospital.
"I'm confident and optimistic about Felipe's capacity to recover, also because he has excellent medical care, and I want to thank the staff at the AEK hospital for the work they're doing," Montezemolo said.
While it looks certain that Massa will not race in the upcoming European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, Montezemolo said the team would not rush into selecting a stand-in driver.
"I'm heading back to Maranello (Italy) with (team principal Stefano) Domenicali, who will make suggestions how to substitute the Brazilian driver until he returns, which I hope will be very soon," Montezemolo said. "We'll make a decision when the time is right, considering that there's a break of a month now."
However, the Spanish sports newspaper Diario AS reported the possibility that Fernando Alonso will replace Massa at Valencia.
Formula One race stewards have banned Renault from the August 23 European GP after the French team allowed Alonso to leave the pits with a wheel not properly secured during Sunday's Hungarian GP. The Spaniard's right-front tire came off and bounced on the track. Alonso limped back to the pits and later retired from the 70-lap event.
F1's governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), found Renault to be negligent in failing to secure the wheel, as well as letting Alonso to leave the pits when they were aware of the problem and then failing to communicate to their driver the issue.
Alonso's teammate, Nelson Piquet, will also not be able to participate in the European GP. Renault is appealing the team's ban.
Alonso has been rumored to leave Renault at the end of the season and move to Ferrari in 2010.
Also on Monday, FIA president Max Mosley asked the organization's safety commission to investigate recent debris-related accidents.
Massa's serious crash followed the death of 18-year-old Henry Surtees in a Formula Two race last week at the Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent, England. Surtees, the son of former F1 world champion John Surtees, was hit by a loose wheel during the event.
After preliminary findings, the FIA suggested the helmet used by Massa may have played a significant role in limiting the injuries he sustained.
The FIA safety commission, which is made up of medical and technical representatives from the sport, will submit its report and recommendations to the FIA's Word Motor Sport Council.
07/27 14:10:52 ET
The Sports Network - Formula One
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm shocked he is even alive. I hope he gets a good outcome.
Massa's racing future in limbo 
Linear Mode
