Felipe Massa's condition is stable following surgery for a skull fracture, his Ferrari team said. Massa has communicated passively with doctors, and medical scans provided encouraging signs.The Brazilian driver, who survived a freak accident in Saturday's qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, sustained a concussion and damage to his skull. Doctors at the AEK Hospital in Budapest placed him in an artificial coma while they operated to repair the bone.
While driving at speeds over 156 mph, Massa was struck in the head by a spring from another driver's car. At The New York Times' Web site, you can see a screengrab of the errant spring flying toward Massa's car. Massa's shocking accident marked the second time in the past week that a loose part injured an unsuspecting driver. Henry Surtees, 18, was killed when he was struck in the head by a bouncing wheel during a Formula Two race.
Formula One officials stated they would look into whether further safety measures may need to be taken, such as putting canopies over the drivers' heads.
According to The New York Times report, team director Ross Brawn said the spring weighed about 1.5 pounds and the team would look into why it had come off.
Felipe Massa Photos
Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Brawn GP speaks to journalists at the entrance of the Honved Hospital, Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2009 where Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Scuderia Ferrari is in a life-threatening but stable condition after his operation. (AP Photo/MTI, Lajos Soos)
AP
Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Brawn GP speaks to journalists at the entrance of the Honved Hospital, Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2009 where Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Scuderia Ferrari is in a life-threatening but stable condition after his operation. (AP Photo/MTI, Lajos Soos)
AP
Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Brawn GP speaks to journalists at the entrance of the Honved Hospital, Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2009 where Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Scuderia Ferrari is in a life-threatening but stable condition after his operation. (AP Photo/MTI, Lajos Soos)
AP
Ferrari fans wait with a Brazilian flag in front of the hospital of Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Brazil in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2009. Massa suffered life threatening injuries in a crash during the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix qualification on Saturday. Sign on the building reads: Ministry of Defense State Health Center. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)
AP
A Hungarian couple waits in front of the hospital of Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Brazil in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2009. Massa suffered life threatening injuries in a crash during the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix qualification on Saturday. Sign on the building reads: Ministry of Defense State Health Center. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)
AP
Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Brawn GP speaks to journalists at the entrance of the Honved Hospital, Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2009 where Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Scuderia Ferrari is in a life-threatening but stable condition after his operation. Massa underwent a life-saving surgery Saturday, following his high speed accident during the qualifying session at the Hungaroring in Mogyorod near Budapest. Massa was hit on the head by a steel spring, that fell off the car of Rubens Barrichello. (AP Photo/MTI, Balazs Mohai)
AP
Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Brawn GP arrives at the Honved Hospital, Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, July 26, 2009 where Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Scuderia Ferrari is in a life-threatening but stable condition after his operation. Massa underwent a life-saving surgery Saturday, following his high speed accident during the qualifying session at the Hungaroring in Mogyorod near Budapest. Massa was hit on the head by a steel spring, that fell off the car of Rubens Barrichello. (AP Photo/MTI, Balazs Mohai)
AP
A Ferrari fan cries in front of the AEK hospital, where Felipe Massa was taken after his crash on the Hungaroring circuit, July 26, 2009. Ferrari's Massa was in intensive care on Saturday after being hit on the head by bouncing debris and crashing heavily in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying. Massa suffered a cut forehead, skull damage and concussion in the accident caused by a fist-sized spring weighing around 800 grams falling off compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn seconds earlier. REUTERS/Stringer (HUNGARY SPORT MOTOR RACING HEALTH)
Reuters
Ross Brawn (L) and Rubens Barrichello (R) arrive at the AEK hospital, where Felipe Massa was taken after his crash on the Hungaroring circuit, July 26, 2009. Ferrari's Massa was in intensive care on Saturday after being hit on the head by bouncing debris and crashing heavily in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying. Massa suffered a cut forehead, skull damage and concussion in the accident caused by a fist-sized spring weighing around 800 grams falling off compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn seconds earlier. REUTERS/Stringer (HUNGARY SPORT MOTOR RACING HEALTH IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
Ross Brawn and Rubens Barrichello (R) arrive at the AEK hospital, where Felipe Massa was taken after his crash on the Hungaroring circuit, July 26, 2009. Ferrari's Massa was in intensive care on Saturday after being hit on the head by bouncing debris and crashing heavily in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying. Massa suffered a cut forehead, skull damage and concussion in the accident caused by a fist-sized spring weighing around 800 grams falling off compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn seconds earlier. REUTERS/Stringer (HUNGARY SPORT MOTOR RACING IMAGES OF THE DAY HEALTH)
Reuters
