FIA gives Massa green light for test drives

SUZUKA - Motorsport’s governing body FIA Sunday said that they had given Ferrari’s Felipe Massa the green light to test drive again.

Ferrari had earlier approached FIA and asked whether Massa would be permitted to test drive again to ensure that they would not break any rules once the Brazilian returned to racing.

Ferrari principal Stefano Domenicali said that it was not sure when Massa, who would be testing in a two year old Ferrari, would return to the racing track, but a return in time for the Brazilian Grand Prix on October 18 was out of the question.

Massa was seriously injured in a crash during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in July and has been out of action since then.

The 28-year-old has started preparing for his comeback and has already completed a few laps in a cart and will progress to the 2007 Ferrari soon.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher underwent similar tests in summer hoping to step in for Massa, but had to put any comeback hopes on hold due to an old neck injury.