Doctor believes Massa will not return in 2009
A doctor involved in the recovery of FelipeMassa said on Monday he believes the Brazilian will certainly notreturn to the cockpit of his Ferrari in 2009.
Surgeon Robert Veres, who told reporters at the AEK hospital in centralBudapest that the operation on Massa's skull last Saturday saved the28-year-old's life, was asked by media about the long-term prospectsfor his racing career.
"I don't know. It's too early to say anything concerning his future, regarding the race," he answered.
More positive were Rubens Barrichello and Ferrari President Luca diMontezemolo, who were at the hospital on Sunday night and Mondayrespectively.
Fellow Brazilian Barrichello spoke with the press as he emerged fromthe hospital, and revealed that he had been able to talk with Massa'sdoctors.
"I asked 'as someone who has no understanding of medicine, how will hebe?' The doctor said 'most probably he is going to be 100 percentfine'," the Brawn driver explained.
Montezemolo, meanwhile, said that on his flight from Italy to Budapeston Monday, he recalled similarly dashing to the hospital bed of NikiLauda in 1976 when the Austrian was read the last rites following afiery crash.
"Thank God the situation is completely different this time," the Italian said. "Felipe is on a good way and I thank God."