Thaindian News

Veteran Formula One racing driver Felipe Massa has undergone emergency skull surgery in Budapest and remains in intensive care after slamming into a wall of tires during qualifying practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old team-Ferrari driver was airlifted to AEK hospital following the high speed collision, which occurred when a spring that had fallen off another car flew up and struck Massa in the helmet causing him to loose control.

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 Italian team says Massa will remain in intensive care and does not know how long he will stay under observation.

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.