.::Felipe Massa replacment thread - UPDATE - Force India releases Fisichella ::.

SCHUMACHER TO LAUNCH UPGRADED HELMET

Helmet manufacturer Schuberth has reacted to Felipe Massa's Hungarian Grand Prix accident by developing an upgraded version of the design used by the Ferrari driver.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will launch the new model later this month at the European GP in Valencia, where he is set to return to Formula 1 as a high-profile stand-in for his former team-mate Massa.

The Brazilian suffered a fractured skull and brain concussion after being hit in the head by a spring weighing 800g that had detached itself from the rear suspension of Rubens Barrichello's Brawn car.

Although Massa's lightweight carbon fibre helmet stood up well to the impact - testifying to the efficacy of stringent safety standards introduced by the FIA in 2004 - the left visor mounting was knocked off.

Schuberth has therefore reinforced the mounting point between the helmet and visor with a titanium disc, a change it says will double the strength of the mounting.

"Felipe's visor only came off when the doctors pulled on it," Schuberth's Oliver Schimpf told German newspaper Bild.

"But we have inserted a titanium disc at the transition from the visor to the helmet where before there was only plastic.

"It is a reaction to the accident."

Schumacher's new €12,000 Schuberth RF1 lid sports a revised livery designed by Jens Munser, with a barcode-style cluster of white stripes below the top white band and some Mandarin script on a black background behind the visor on either side.

On the right side of the helmet, the names of Schumacher and his son Mick are written in Chinese characters, while the names of his wife Corinna and daughter Gina Maria appear on the right side and a dragon adorns the rear.

The seven stars denoting his record number of F1 world titles remain on the top of the helmet.

SOURCE: ITV-F1

It's been confirmed...

SCHUMACHER CANCELS F1 COMEBACK

Michael Schumacher has had to cancel his Formula 1 comeback as a result of the neck injuries he suffered in a motorcycle crash earlier this year.

In a statement issued on his website, Schumacher said that he told the team last night he was not fit enough to race as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa.

"Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I'm not able to step in for Felipe," he said.

"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out. Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible."

Schumacher suffered a sizeable accident during a German superbike test at Cartagena in Spain on February 11 - which forced him to abandon entering motorcycle races. It had been hoped that the injuries he suffered in that crash would not impact on his F1 return, but medical examinations have indicated that problems remain.

"The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike-accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe," added Schumacher.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. These are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination yesterday afternoon.

"As there were no improvements after the day in Mugello, I decided at short notice on Sunday to do that thorough examination already yesterday.

"I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."

Schumacher had been due to test an F2007 at Mugello in Italy from today, but there is now little reason for him to see through with that running.

It is not clear who Ferrari will now slot in as the replacement for the injured Felipe Massa, with the team having little more than one week to find a suitable driver.

SOURCE: Autosport

BADOER TO REPLACE MASSA AT VALENCIA

Luca Badoer has been drafted in as the temporary replacement for Felipe Massa for the European Grand Prix, after Michael Schumacher was forced to abandon his F1 comeback.

Schumacher had hoped to fill-in for Massa at the forthcoming races, but a neck injury picked up in a motorcycle accident has forced him to call off his F1 return.

As a result, Ferrari will promote its test driver Badoer to the race position for the next race in Valencia, as a reward for his many years of efforts with the team.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said: "I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing.

"In the past few days, I could appreciate his great efforts and extraordinary motivation which had spread through the team and fans around the world. No doubt his return would have been good for Formula 1 and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again.

"In the name of Ferrari and all the fans, I wish to thank him for the strong attachment he displayed for the team in these circumstances.

"In agreement with Stefano Domenicali, we have therefore decided to give Luca Badoer the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver."

The 38-year-old Italian has been a Ferrari test driver since 1998 and last raced in 1999, for Minardi.

SOURCE: Autosport

TEN FACTS ABOUT LUCA BADOER

After 12 years of service as Ferrari's test driver, and almost a decade since his last grand prix, Luca Badoer is probably as surprised as many observers about getting a chance to race again as Kimi Raikkonen's temporary team-mate.

Felipe Massa's injuries from his Hungarian GP accident, allied to Michael Schumacher's inability to race, have left the door open for Badoer to get at least another grand prix under his belt.

Here are 10 facts about the Italian

• Luca Badoer's return to F1 means there will now be two drivers in the field who competed in the 1993 season. Both he and Rubens Barrichello made their debuts that year.

• Badoer's promotion to F1 in 1993 came after a title-winning F3000 campaign the year before, where he took the crown with four wins.

• Badoer's F1 return means he will be the oldest driver in the field - taking over that honour from Barrichello. The Italian is currently 38 years old.

• His promotion to Ferrari race seat means Badoer will still only have driven for Italian teams in F1. He has previously raced for Scuderia Italia, Minardi and Forti Corse.

• Badoer is Ferrari's longest serving test driver, having originally begun work for them back in 1998.

• Despite having competed in 48 grands prix, Badoer never scored a point. His best finish was 7th in the 1993 San Marino Grand Prix.

• Badoer's failure to score a point gives him the distinction of being the driver with the most race starts who has not achieved that feat.

• His best grid position is 12th, which he delivered for Minardi at the 1995 Hungarian Grand Prix. In the race he finished 8th.

• Luca Badoer famously broke down in tears at the 1999 European Grand Prix after his car stopped with gearbox failure as he seemed en route to fourth place.

• Badoer's near 10-year gap between his last race at the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix and his return in Valencia is not quite as big as the 10 years and three months between Jan Lammers' races in the 1982 Dutch and 1992 Japanese Grand Prix.

SOURCE: Autosport

MIXED FEELINGS FOR BADOER ON CALL-UP

Luca Badoer has expressed mixed feelings about being called up by Ferrari to replace Felipe Massa for the European Grand Prix.

Although delighted at the opportunity to race for Ferrari, having been the team's test driver since 1998, he is a bit upset at seeing Michael Schumacher fall short in his battle to return to the cockpit.

"Since I've been a child I always wanted to race for Ferrari and now I've got the possibility to make this desire come true," Badoer told the official Ferrari website.

"I'm really sorry for Michael, because I know how much he wanted to return: I'm saying that as his friend and his fan. We've been in contact during the last days and we drove karts together at Lonato last week. So I followed him very closely in this attempt.

"Last night he called me a couple of minutes after Stefano Domenicali had told me the news and I know that he'll always be ready to give me some advice and he will shout for me."

Badoer has not had the opportunity to drive the F60, having last tested in December last year at Portimao, but he is familiar with the cockpit and thinks it will not take him long to get used to the machine.

"Although this year's rules foresee a drastically reduced mileage for us test drivers, I have prepared myself to be ready under any circumstances, just as I've been doing the last years too; I've been in this business for quite a while," he said.

"After Felipe's accident I intensified my programme and I'm sure that I won't have any problems from this point of view."

And having been granted the opportunity to race for Ferrari, Badoer has expressed his gratitude to the team's chiefs - as well as expressing hopes that Massa's recovers fully soon.

"My first thought goes to Felipe. I was shocked about his accident and I'm so glad that the situation is getting better so quickly: I wish him all the best and to get back on the track as soon as possible.

"I also want to thank Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali for the faith they put in me and for the honour that they are handing the car over to me: I will give it my best for them and for all the Ferrari fans, who - and I'm sure about that - will give me their support."

SOURCE: Autosport

FERRARI EYES THIRD CAR FOR SCHUMACHER

A push by Ferrari to allow teams to run three cars in Formula 1 next year could yet allow Michael Schumacher to return to the sport.

That was the firm hint dropped by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo on Tuesday night, just hours after Schumacher's F1 comeback was called off for now because of a neck injury.

Di Montezemolo believes that Schumacher has plenty to offer F1 still, even though he is 40-years-old, and he has said he will not ease off in his efforts to get the rules changed so Ferrari can run three cars next year - with Schumacher a possibility to fill for as many races as he wants.

In an interview that will appear in La Stampa on Wednesday, di Montezemolo said that there were clear reasons why Ferrari opted for its former champion rather than a young driver when it came to finding a replacement for Felipe Massa.

"Well we're talking about Michael Schumacher," said di Montezemolo. "He is 40 years old, but he's still from another planet.

"I prefer the champion, even if matured, to the mediocre driver, even if he's young. Our circus needed some great input.

"We're continuing to fight until every team has the right to start with three cars in the next season (and one I'd have handed over to Michael with pleasure). I prefer three McLaren and three Renault to three "whatevers". With BMW gone, there's not much to say but lots to do."

Di Montezemolo said he was 'very disappointed' by the news delivered on Monday night that Schumacher's neck injury from a motorcycle crash had not healed enough to allow him to race in F1, but said there was no point in pushing the German to try to get in the car.

"They found something that still didn't work," said di Montezemolo. "So it's better not to insist. We wouldn't do that at all. He had the small motorcycle accident in February and on the first laps at Mugello he felt that something was wrong. You shouldn't joke with your health."

Di Montezemolo also revealed that Schumacher himself was unhappy about the development that has kept him out of the F1 cockpit for now.

When asked how Schumacher reacted to the news, di Montezemolo said: "What do you think? He answered with such an enthusiasm to my request; the enthusiasm of a boy and not of a retired champion.

"He lost four kilos; same weight as in October 2006 when he raced for the last time in Brazil. You can imagine how he took it."

And di Montezemolo said that Badoer's chances of keeping the race seat beyond the European GP would very much depend on the job he did.

"[We have] faith in Luca Badoer, who's one of us," he said. "Destiny has given him a unique possibility now he has to make the best out of it. We will support him with all we've got."

SOURCE: Autosport

ED: Have Ferrari forgotten that, you know, if teams ran a third car next year, there'd be 39 CARS on the grid!?! Plus, Ferrari pushing for a third car says a lot about their faith in Raikkonen and Massa... :?

ED: Have Ferrari forgotten that, you know, if teams ran a third car next year, there'd be 39 CARS on the grid!?! Plus, Ferrari pushing for a third car says a lot about their faith in Raikkonen and Massa... :?

Redders1989

I got some details about Schumi's neck:

The part still in pain is a tear to the left hand side tendon, which connects the base of the skull to the first vertebrae in the neck. If Michael was to have an accident, there is still a strong chance the damage to this area could worsen - which at worst could lead to paralysis. As it is, the damage currently could take 6 months to heal, possibly a year, or may never fully recover at all.

So the pull-out was the smartest idea. Potentially, the comeback may never happen.

BADOER TARGETS VALENCIA RACE FINISH

Luca Badoer says just getting to the finish of this weekend's European Grand Prix will be a good result for him, as he continues his preparations for his Formula 1 return.

The Italian is filling in at Ferrari for Felipe Massa, having been granted the opportunity when Michael Schumacher was prevented driving because of an old neck injury.

And having completed two days of running in an F60 for promotional purposes at Fiorano on Monday and Tuesday this week, Badoer is under no illusions about the task he is facing.

"I have a good impression and it's obvious that there's a difficult task waiting for me at Valencia," he explained. "The first race will help me to get back into the rhythm of a Formula 1 weekend. I haven't set myself any goals, just to end the race."

Badoer has also denied any suggestion that the promotional run he conducted in the F60, which is allowed under the terms of the F1 testing ban, has given him any kind of advantage.

"These 200 kilometres were absolutely insignificant from a technical point of view, but they allowed me to get to know the car again," he explained.

Badoer's efforts over the weekend will also be boosted by the presence of Schumacher, who has decided to travel to Valencia even though he is unable to race.

"I'm glad that Michael will be with the team, I'm sure he can give me some important tips," he explained. "Over the last days we've spoken very often and we even trained together when he was still trying to get ready to race.

"I was really sad, because I know how much he would have liked it. Although I am now able to make my dream come true, I am his friend, his admirer and his fan."

Badoer is also looking forward to working with new team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.

"We've got an excellent relationship and I'm sure that we'll work very well together as team-mates," he said. "He's got his character, but that's nothing new; I feel very good when we're together."

SOURCE: Autosport

FERRARI RULE OUT SCHUMACHER RETURN

Ferrari has ruled out any chance of Michael Schumacher racing for the team this year, despite speculation over the European Grand Prix weekend that the seven-times champion could still make a comeback.

Schumacher had been Ferrari's preferred replacement for the injured Felipe Massa from last weekend's race in Valencia, but an old neck injury forced him to cancel his surprise return to F1.

Although doctors at the time left the door open on Schumacher perhaps being recovered enough to race this season, Ferrari has now revealed that such a prospect can be dismissed.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali, when asked about rumours Schumacher was continuing physical training to prepare for a comeback, said: "I'm happy he is training, but what I can absolutely rule out is that Michael can return this year as a racing driver."

Luca Badoer, who was slotted in to Ferrari's second car, had a torrid time in Valencia and will need to improve dramatically in this weekend's race at Spa if he is to have any chance of keeping hold of the seat for the Italian Grand Prix.

Domenicali said he could not make any prediction for how much better Schumacher would have fared last weekend if it had been him in the car and not Badoer.

"It would have been tough for Michael too, because it's a difficult track and it's new," he explained. "Obviously his approach is always aggressive. Would he have done well? I really think so, because he wouldn't have gone for it if he wasn't confident. As for how well, I'd be dishonest: I don't know. However, he would certainly have done well."

Ferrari will make a decision about its driver plans for after the Belgian Grand Prix when it knows more about the timescale for Massa's return to the cockpit.

Several drivers have already been linked with the team as a temporary stand-in - including Giancarlo Fisichella, Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Bourdais, Nelson Piquet and Nico Hulkenberg.

SOURCE: Autosport

GENE SAD NOT TO REPLACE MASSA

Marc Gene has admitted it has not been easy to see Luca Badoer being chosen by Ferrari to replace the injured Felipe Massa at the European Grand Prix.

Massa was originally going to be replaced by seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, but the German was forced to cancel his plans due to a problem with his neck.

Ferrari then decided to draft 38-year-old Badoer, who had not competed since 1999 and had not driven a Formula 1 car in some 10 months.

Gene, the team's second test driver, had recently won the Le Mans 24 Hours for Peugeot and the Spaniard admitted it was quite a shock that Ferrari chose Badoer.

The Catalan made it clear, however, that he is ready to jump into the car if Ferrari calls him.

"These past weeks have not been easy for me," Gene wrote in his column in El Mundo newspaper.

"It's hard to assume that you won't be racing at your home grand prix after winning the Le Mans 24 Hours and having completed over 10,000 kilometers with Ferrari and Peugeot.

"Whatever they decide for Belgium I'll respect it and I will accept the decision. If I race, fantastic, and if I don't, I'll act like another member of the team. I'm an active driver and I have to work to drive. I'm ready and they know it."

Ferrari said over the weekend that Badoer would race at the Belgian Grand Prix, but left the door open to replace him after Spa.

SOURCE: Autosport

ED: Whatever Ferrari choose, they must make a wise choice - if Badoer is replaced, then the team will have used up their full allocation of 4 drivers in one year.

FISICHELLA NOT REPLACING BADOER

Giancarlo Fisichella has not received an approach from Ferrari and will race for Force India at the Italian Grand Prix next week, his team boss said.

The 36-year-old has been linked with a temporary switch to the Italian team in place of the injured Felipe Massa.

On Monday, Force India commercial director Ian Phillips told BBC Radio 5 live he expected an offer from Ferrari.

But team chief Villya Mallya insisted the Italian will turn out for his regular team at Monza.

Fisichella finished a surprise second behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday to record Force India's first points in 30 races.

He has been touted as a replacement for Luca Badoer, who has struggled as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa.

"Fisichella has himself clarified that he has 'not received any invitation from Ferrari' and went on to add that 'he was looking forward to driving the Force India car at the Monza GP'," Mallya said, referring to the driver's comments in a news conference shortly after Sunday's race.

"There has been absolutely no change whatsoever on this front since yesterday and we look forward to Fisichella scorching the tracks at Monza."

Badoer, Ferrari's official reserve driver, was drafted in to replace the Massa after legendary seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher was forced to shelve his comeback plans.

The Italian team are believed to have run out of patience with Badoer, who has qualified last at both of his races so far.

While Raikkonen won Sunday's race at Spa, Badoer trailed in last, nearly 48 seconds slower than the driver in front.

Phillips said it was "pretty likely" that Ferrari would make an approach for Fisichella "in the next 24 hours or so".

Mallya said Phillips's comments should be ignored because he is not an authorized spokesman for the team.

The Italian Grand Prix is on 13 September, followed by races in Singapore and Japan, before the teams head to Brazil.

SOURCE: BBC Sport

Ferrari announcement at 3.30pm UK time todayJonathon Noble on Twitter

So who will Ferrari choose as their second driver? Fisi? Badoer? Someone else?

Force India releases Fisichella to Ferrari

Following days of speculation about who would line up alongside Kimi Raikkonen now that Felipe Massa is out for the season, Force India confirmed that Fisichella would switch teams from the Italian Grand Prix.

The team said that discussions with Ferrari began in the last 24 hours, once it became clear that Massa was out for the season. Force India owner Dr Vijay Mallya said: "Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari.

"For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this. Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo's long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India."

Force India is understood to have outstanding debts with Ferrari left over from its customer engine supply deal that ended last year - but Mallya said that commercial factors did not have a role in the outcome.

"We would like to stress that we have not agreed any financial settlement with Ferrari," he said. "This agreement has been made in good faith and for the good of Giancarlo and the sport in general. A competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula 1, which can only help raise the sport's profile in these difficult times.

"We would like to thank Giancarlo for all his help over the past one and a half seasons and for delivering us our first World Championship points last weekend. He has been an integral part of the team and we owe him a great deal for his input behind the scenes and performance out on track. We wish him all the best for the future.

"For Force India, this sport is a team effort and removing one part, even a major one, will not significantly affect our performance. The competitiveness of the team seen in Belgium was a result of hard work in the factory and wind tunnel and we have further developments coming for the final races, so we are confident this momentum can be sustained. We are now looking forward to a strong finish to the season."

Force India has not made a decision who will drive alongside Adrian Sutil for the rest of the season, although it is expected that Vitantonio Liuzzi will step up from his test drive role.

SOURCE: Autosport

Ferrari predicts Fisichella will be strong

Ferrari is expecting Giancarlo Fisichella to deliver valuable points for the outfit for the rest of the season, after officially confirming that the Italian will race for the Maranello team for the remainder of 2009.

Fisichella is being drafted in as team-mate to Kimi Raikkonen after temporary stand-in Luca Badoer failed to impress during his two race stint with the team.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: "We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season.

"Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career, that he is fast and competitive and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race.

"We wish to thank Luca Badoer for the team spirit he demonstrated in these circumstances: it is a shame he was unable to show his true worth in these last two races, tackled under conditions which anyone would have found difficult."

Source: Autosport.com

FERRARI RECKONS FISICHELLA WILL BOOST TEAM

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says his team can now look forward to its home grand prix at Monza next week full of confidence after securing the services of Giancarlo Fisichella.

Fresh from its first victory of the season in Belgium, Ferrari has been boosted by the arrival of Fisichella - who will be Kimi Raikkonen's team-mate until the end of the season.

Di Montezemolo says the Italian was hired because of his talent and his nationality - ahead of what will be an emotional race in home ground for both the team and the former Force India driver.

"I chose Fisichella for several reasons, starting with the fact he deserves it, that he's on great form and that he is an expert driver," di Montezemolo said in a television interview with TG1.

"On top of that, we all wanted to have an Italian driver in our car for Monza and lastly, because it takes the long term view, as he will be our third driver [in 2010].

"It is an important moment, coming off the back of a great win with Kimi Raikkonen. We also have the good and important news that Felipe Massa is recovering well and will be more than ready for the first race of next season.

"I wish to thank Luca Badoer who, once again has been so amenable towards Ferrari. Therefore, I look forward to Monza with confidence and especially with great pleasure at having Fisichella in the team."

Di Montezemolo said he was also looking forward to the return at the start of next season of the injured Massa - who was told this week that he would be unable to race again in 2009.

"The good news that Felipe will race again, that he is recovering and that he will be very ready to race next season is a further plus, after what was a terrible August for us," he said.

"What with his accident, all the uncertainties and, unfortunately, Michael Schumacher's fitness difficulties, when we would have liked to see him in our car. However, bit by bit, we are putting everything right again. Victory is the best medicine."

SOURCE: Autosport

But the Ferrari was slower! :lol:KimisApprentice

ROSSI WAS IN FRAME FOR FERRARI DRIVE

Valentino Rossi has revealed that he did speak to Ferrari about the possibility of racing for the team at the Italian Grand Prix.

The MotoGP champion had considered a switch to F1 with Ferrari a few years ago before committing himself to motorbikes - and was once again linked with a move as the Maranello-outfit sought a replacement for Luca Badoer as stand-in for Felipe Massa.

However, Rossi said that the lack of preparation on his neck and the limited opportunity to get mileage in the car, allied to his current title battle in motorcycle racing, meant he decided to turn his back on the idea.

"We spoke with Domenicali, but we had two big problems," he said during preparations for this weekend's MotoGP race at Misano in Italy.

"The first one is the neck, because I don't know if I would be able to finish the race with my neck. Monza is not very strong for [hard on] the neck, but anyway it still needs great effort.

"And also, because we're fighting for the [MotoGP] championship, for sure the race at Monza would be a big stress and it's better to stay in MotoGP."

Rossi said that even prior to speaking to Domenicali he had already been reluctant to take on the opportunity of an F1 race because of the lacking of available testing.

"We had already decided before, that to go into a Formula 1 race without testing the car is more risky than fun," he said. "It's not possible to arrive over there and do all the work to understand the car in just three days."

SOURCE: Autosport

ED: Problem there being if Rossi had been chosen, he'd either have to stay in the car for the rest of the season or Badoer would have to go back in.

Massa: No second thoughts about return

determined Felipe Massa says he has no second thoughts about returning to Formula 1 with Ferrari next year, despite the serious injuries he received in his Hungarian Grand Prix crash.

The Brazilian is still recovering from the skull fractures that he suffered after a spring from Rubens Barrichello's car struck him in the face during qualifying at the Hungaroring.

Although the accident has forced him to sit out the season and highlighted the dangers of racing, Massa is adamant that getting back behind the cockpit is the only thing he wants to do.

"Of course, it is my life," he said in a lengthy interview with The Guardian newspaper on Tuesday.

"For me, the worst thing that happened was not being able to race. If you can't drive that's terrible. But my wife has already asked me, at least 10 times, 'Are you sure you don't feel any doubts or worries?' Always, I say, 'No - because this is what I like to do.'

"If I don't drive then I am not the same person. Ever since I was a small boy this is my life. This is what I like to do. So I really hope, and expect, nothing will change inside of me when I go back into the car and start pushing myself to the maximum again."

When asked if there had not been a moment during his recovery when he had hesitated about coming back, Massa said: "No. For my family it was very difficult because they followed everything and went through a lot. But for me it was less than that.

"As soon as it happened I was unconscious and three days later I woke up. In hospital I saw nothing of the accident. It was just Hungarian television channels. I only heard what they said happened to me. And for me this was strange - can a spring from another car really do this to a bone in my head?

"I first saw it when I got home on television - just like you. But I had other accidents that disturbed me a lot more. When I lost the brakes in Monaco in 2002 it was a huge crash. And I crashed twice in Barcelona because I had a problem with my suspension - and that was an accident that made me think.

"But this accident in Hungary is like something I never even saw. So my wife was only asking gentle questions, like, 'You don't think maybe... ?' And I say, 'No, I am racing again.' My mother also knows me a lot. Sometimes she is looking at me and thinking but she knows not to ask."

Massa's recovery from his skull fracture is on schedule, and on Monday he underwent a successful operation to insert a titanium plate onto his skull to strengthen it for a racing return.

The operation, at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein hospital, took four-and-a-half hours. Following a short stay there, Massa will go home and then begin training once again ahead of his F1 return next year.

He revealed in the interview, which took place before the operation, that the inserting of the plate was the thing that prevented him making a comeback this year.

"Actually, I am OK. The only problem is I need surgery to close a bone in my head that they had taken away because it was completely damaged. A normal guy can live like this without any problem. But for a driver, if you have an accident and you have this problem, the recovery is more difficult.

"That's why I need this surgery to close the bone. I will have it soon because that's the only reason they won't allow me to race now. Otherwise I feel the same as before. I'm going to Europe to use the simulator and drive some go-karts and then I will know very well if I'm 100%."

And he has also vowed to make a push to improve safety for drivers once he is back at grand prix events.

"We need to look for improvements," he said. "I'm not saying we need to cover [the cockpit] completely. But maybe there are some other things we can do to the car to stop a wheel hitting your head.

"When I come back this is something I want to discuss with Charlie Whiting [Formula 1 race director], the FIA and the drivers - because we all need to work together."

Massa is expected to make his first appearance at a race at his home grand prix in Brazil next month.

"It will be difficult to watch it, but I will be there."

Source: Autosport.com

Successful surgery for Massa

Felipe Massa is currently in Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein hospital, following more than four hours of skull surgery on Monday. The operation was to repair damage to his skull by the addition of a titanium plate at the spot the Brazilian was struck by a flying suspension spring during qualifying in Budapest in late July.

Ferrari said the surgery "had a positive outcome" and that Massa will return home to begin his physical preparations for next season after a short hospital stay.

In an interview published on Tuesday by Britain's Guardian newspaper, the 28-year-old said the surgery is to "close a bone in my head that they had taken away because it was completely damaged.

"A normal guy can live like this without any problem. But for a driver, if you have an accident and you have this problem, the recovery is more difficult," Massa explained.

"That's the only reason they won't allow me to race now. Otherwise I feel the same as before. I'm going to Europe to use the simulator and drive some go-karts and then I will know very well if I'm 100%." Massa confirmed that, contrary to his earlier target, he will now no longer be able to make his comeback at his home grand prix in Brazil next month.

He said he has been following recent races live from his Sao Paulo home but that "it will be much worse when I have to watch the race in Brazil".

"It will be difficult to watch it," Massa concedes, "but I will be there."

Source: F1-live.com

Kubica says he had talks with Ferrari

Robert Kubica has revealed that he held talks with Ferrari about taking its vacant race seat for the rest of the season.

Ferrari ultimately opted to recruit Giancarlo Fisichella from Force India after Luca Badoer's disappointing performances in Valencia and at Spa.

Kubica says he was also a contender but decided getting used to a new car mid-season without testing would be impractical.

"There was some contact and I was in the interests of Ferrari, but it's not so easy to change team in the middle of the year," said the Pole.

"But I think we will have a competitive car here with BMW so I am happy to be where I am."

After a difficult first half of the season, BMW Sauber has had an upturn in form in recent races, with Kubica and Nick Heidfeld finishing fourth and fifth in the last event at Spa.

Source: Autosport.com

Ferrari keen to test Massa, seeking test exemption

Ferrari will soon try again to gain an exemption from the in-season testing ban, this time for Felipe Massa. Team boss Stefano Domenicali said on Wednesday that the Brazilian will "get back on track - as soon as the doctors give the all clear."

Earlier this year, the Italian team's request for a one-off run in the 2009 car for Michael Schumacher was blocked by rivals including Williams and Red Bull. Apart from short runs on demonstration tyres for promotions and some straight-line aerodynamic tests, all circuit testing during the season is strictly banned.

"We want to ask for a dispensation and I'm convinced the other teams will grant it to us," Domenicali told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

F1 bosses at Monza on Wednesday discussed the possibility of allowing some testing in 2010 in the event that teams need to change their race line-ups, and for new drivers.

Domenicali meanwhile has indicated that Michael Schumacher is set to remain under contract to Ferrari next year and beyond. Schumacher is due to sit down with Ferrari bosses and his manager Willi Weber at Monza this weekend to discuss how to proceed given his expiring agreement as a team advisor.

"We want to find a solution, because Schumacher and Ferrari are inseparable," Domenicali said, even refusing to rule out an F1 return for the German. He also indicated that Luca Badoer has a future at Ferrari, despite speculation his poor two-race stint in Massa's car had irreparably damaged his career.

"We will find a solution not only for him but also for (fellow tester) Marc Gene," Domenicali said.

Source: F1-live.com