Thaindian News

Formula One racing veteran, Felipe Massa, is reportedly in a critical, life threatening condition following surgery on a fractured skull from a high-speed crash in qualifying practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old team-Ferrari driver was airlifted to AEK hospital following a high speed collision after a spring that had fallen off another car flew up and struck him on the helmet causing him to loose control and crash into a wall of tires.

AEK medical director Peter Bazso said, “Massa’s condition is serious, life-threatening but stable.”

Massa is being kept in an induced comma on a respirator in the hospitals intensive care ward until at least Sunday.

According to reports the spring ripped out the visor, leaving a long dent along the side of the helmet and blood was seen above Massa’s left eye.

Massa remained in the crushed wreck of the Ferrari for some time after the collision on corner four of the circuit, and when removed from the vehicle was conscious but confused.

Emergency service crews stabilized Massa before a helicopter transported him to hospital, where it was found he had suffered bone damage to his skull requiring emergency surgery.

Fellow Brazilian F-1 racing driver, Rubens Barrichello, went to the medical center to check on Massa’s condition and said the Ferrari driver appeared to be doing fine, despite the cut above his left eye.

Barrichello said, “he was in shock… considering the gravity of the accident, I think he’s in okay shape.”

The crash comes less than a week after Henry Surtees, the son of former F-1 champion John Surtees, died in an F2 race last Sunday. Surtees was struck by a tire from another car, causing him to lose consciousness and drive into a barrier.