Ferrari’s Massa receives positive medical report, can resume workouts after plastic surgery

Ferrari’s Massa receives positive medical report

MARANELLO, Italy — Injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa received a positive medical report after visiting a specialist in racing injuries in Miami and — after minor surgery this week — expects to resume physical workouts as he takes his first step on the road back to Formula One.

An accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July nearly cost Massa his life but the Brazilian is hoping to return for the Oct. 18 Brazilian Grand Prix.

On Monday, Massa met with Steve Olvey, a former medical director for CART and a specialist in racing injuries.

Neurological and vision tests came back positive, Ferrari reported on its Web site Tuesday, adding that Massa can resume physical workouts after minor surgery on his cranium. The procedure will be performed in the next few days followed by a brief recovery period.

“I’m very happy with the outcome of the exams,” Massa said. “After the small surgery that I will have done in the next few days I can finally start working out a little in the gym to get back in form, and then I can start some kart training.

“When will I be back on a Formula One track? Let’s take one step at a time. Right now I’m just focused on starting physical activity again, which is already a big step forward.”

Massa’s Ferrari ran into a protective barrier after his helmet was struck by a loose part that broke off Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP car and caused him to lose consciousness. He was hospitalized for nine days in Hungary and placed in an induced coma because of multiple skull fractures.