Massa targets return at home GP

Massa continues to make a good recovery from his injuries at home in Brazil

Felipe Massa has told Brazilian television he hopes to return to racing at the Brazilian Grand Prix on 18 October, Autosport magazine reports.

The Ferrari driver, 28, is recovering at home after suffering severe head injuries in a crash during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"I cannot wait to race again, I hope I can do the Brazilian Grand Prix," he told television channel Globo.

"But it's for the doctors to say. I have to show I can be ready."

Massa's accident, which occurred on 25 July, happened after a spring from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car hit his helmet.

He was travelling at more than 160mph when the object hit him, but pressure on the brakes reduced his speed to about 60mph when he hit the tyre wall.

At first the injuries were described as "life-threatening", and there were fears for his eye sight.

Former Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher was set to come out of retirement to deputise for his friend while he recovered, before a neck injury put paid to the German's comeback plan.

Since then, Massa has made a good recovery and is now back home recuperating.

He will have to undergo a rigorous medical examination at the hands of the International Motorsport Federation (FIA) and also specialist eye check-up before he is allowed behind the wheel of an F1 car.

"I think I am going to do some laps in a go-kart beforehand," Massa added.

"Then I will go to the FIA to do the examinations and get the authorisation to come back to racing."

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Schumacher Slimming Down for F1 Comeback

FRANKFURT (AP) -- Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher says he is slimming down for his Formula One comeback and the only problem is a little neck pain.

Schumacher's first race is expected to be the European Grand Prix in Valencia on Aug. 23. The 40-year-old is returning to his Ferrari team while Felipe Massa recovers from a recent crash.

"I already lost three kilograms even if it is also important to me to build up muscles. So all in all, the practice works pretty well,'' Schumacher wrote on his Web site Tuesday.

Schumacher had a motorcycle crash in February and sustained a neck injury.

"I only have to admit that my neck pinches a bit. We have to get a grip on that as health has priority - that's the clear arrangement made with Ferrari and, by the way, with my wife, too,'' said Schumacher, whose comeback is contingent on passing a medical checkup.

Neck injuries are particularly problematic for F1 drivers because of the enormous strain on their necks because of the high G-forces they must endure during high speed cornering. Despite his neck problem, the German declared he was eager to get back on the track.

"I really would like to thank all my fans who keep their fingers crossed for my plans for all the positive feedback. It's incredible how much support I get from all over the world,'' said Schumacher, who retired in 2006.

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Massa 'Feeling Very Well' On Eve Of Trip Home

Felipe Massa crashed after being hit by a spring from Ruben's Barrichello's Brawn.

SAO PAULO (AP) — Ferrari driver Felipe Massa is on the mend with only some swelling near his left eye and will fly home to Brazil on Monday, nine days after fracturing his skull in a high-speed crash in Hungary.

He will travel on a medical plane with his wife, Raffaela, who is six months pregnant with their first child, and family doctor Dino Altmann. They are expected in Sao Paulo on Monday night. Massa's parents and his brother flew back Sunday.

"Thank God, I'm feeling very well," Massa said Sunday in a statement. "I only have a bit of swelling in the region of my left eye. I'm anxious to return to Brazil and continue the recovery process."

Massa will be transported by helicopter from the Sao Paulo airport to a hospital, where he is expected to have further tests. He will probably stay there about two days before going home.

The 28-year-old Brazilian has said he was thinking about returning to Formula One as early as the next race, the European Grand Prix on Aug. 23 at Valencia, Spain. But he said Sunday his return might be some time away.

"It is important to be fully recovered before returning to the track," he said.

Massa underwent surgery on multiple skull fractures after he was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car. He crashed into a tire barrier during qualifying at the Hungarian GP on Aug. 25.

He will be replaced at Ferrari by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who visited Massa on Saturday at his Budapest hospital.

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Schumacher to make comeback to replace Massa

FILE - In this May 10, 2009 file photo, former German Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher watches the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix from the pits at the Circuit de Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain. In a statement released Wednesday, July 29, 2009, Ferrari said seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher will return to the race track to replace the Italian team's injured driver Felipe Massa.

Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is making a comeback for Ferrari to replace injured driver Felipe Massa.

Ferrari said Wednesday in a statement that the German had agreed to get back in the cockpit until Massa is fit to return. The next race is the European Grand Prix on Aug. 21-23 in Valencia, Spain.

"Though it is true that the Formula One chapter has long been closed for me, it is also true that for team loyalty reasons I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation," the 40-year-old Schumacher said. "But as the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge."

The 28-year-old Massa was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car and crashed into a protective tire barrier at 120 mph during qualifying Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Brazilian received multiple skull fractures in the accident and doctors say he will not race again this season.

Massa took his first steps since the crash on Wednesday and was later scheduled to leave the intensive care unit of the AEK hospital in Budapest. He also received a visit from Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

Ferrari said Schumacher will undergo a special training program in the coming days to determine whether he will be able to drive in Valencia. There are six races left in the season after the European GP.

"Thanks God, all news concerning Felipe is positive. I wish him all the best again," Schumacher wrote on his Web site.

Schumacher, who had 91 wins in 250 F1 races starts, still acts as a consultant for Ferrari. Since retiring in October 2006, Schumacher has raced occasionally in a motorcycling series but was injured in a crash in February.

Schumacher won his first two F1 titles with the Benetton team. He joined Ferrari in 1996 and won five straight from 2000-04.

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