Felipe Massa's personal doctor has said that he has "no doubt" that the Brazilian driver will race in F1 again, and his condition is rapidly improving in the Budapest hospital where he is to be moved out of intensive care later today.
Dino Altmann, Massa's doctor, said today that the trauma suffered by the Brazilian when he was struck by debris during Saturday's qualifying session at the Hungaroring.
"I have no doubt Felipe will race again," he told pink Italian sports rag Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm sure of that.
"The situation is still delicate, but I believe his life is not in danger anymore. From the beginning I felt that the trauma wasn't as extended as it was believed, but the improvements of the last hours have gone beyond our wildest expectations."
Altmann also confirmed that Massa had suffered no obvious damage to his left eye, despite worrying reports to the contrary. "Stimulated by the physiotherapist, he showed he knows left from right and he has full awareness of distance and depth," said Atlmann, somewhat kinkily, "And his memory loss regards a short time.
"His eye has been opened, with care because it is still swollen, and he has said he can see. His vision has not weakened. He gave appropriate answers in three languages: Portuguese, Italian, and English. That means that the brain's cognitive area is fine."
Massa will be moved out of intensive care today, where he has been since being airlifted to the AEK hospital for emergency surgery on his fractured skull on Saturday afternoon. Team boss Stefano Domenicali praised the Brazilian's rate of recovery.
"It's a fantastic improvement," Domenicali wittered, "Only three days after the crash he's made encouraging progress.
"He recognized me, I greeted him and I brought him all the team's and the fans' warmth and support. He replied to me in Italian, after he had spoken to his family in Portuguese. He told me he can't remember anything that had happened: that's a good thing."
Domenicali confirmed that Massa's place in the team will be kept open for him when he is fit enough to return.
Earlier, Bernie Ecclestone said that he did not expect to see Massa back behind the wheel of an F1 car before the end of the season.
"It's difficult to say whether or not he's going to be in a position to compete this year," Ecclestone blithely stated, "Next year I don't know, but I doubt we'll see him this year.
"One thing that's good is that they are very hopeful that the eye is not anywhere near as bad as they thought."
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