Massa May Never Race Again Due to Eye Damage

The latest news coming from Budapest is anything but good news, as the doctors from the AEK hospital revealed Felipe Massa suffered damage to his left eye during his crash in the Hungarian GP qualifying session. Under the circumstances, they announced there is an increased risk of the Brazilian driver never being able to race again. A press conference is to be held by the hospital's representatives later this evening.

The news came as a shock to the Scuderia, as it was initially believed the 2008 Formula One vice-champion would recover in time to make the grid in the late stages of 2009.

“He has suffered some damage to the eye. We don't know whether he'll be able to race again,” hospital's professor Robert Veres from Budapest was quoted as saying to the Hungarian media earlier today.

In addition to his announcement, Ferrari's CEO Luca di Montezemolo today visited the AEK hospital to check up on his driver. When asked what are the chances of seeing Massa back in the Ferrari cockpit, the Italian official avoided giving a clear answer.

“The most important thing is the recovery of the man, not the driver. We have now returned to Maranello but tomorrow we will be back with Felipe,” Di Montezemolo was quoted as saying by the Gazzetta dello Sport, while also admitting the Scuderia will not take long until considering a replacement for the Brazilian driver.

The doctors are to further examine Massa's left eye, but such an investigation is not yet possible due to the Ferrarian's induced coma. He is expected to come out of it during the course of tomorrow, after which he will undergo another series of tests.

Also. as reported by Brazil's TV Globo, Massa will likely be transfered to Paris' Pitie-Salpetriere hospital later this week, as the French medical centre “has links with the FIA and has treated patients including Michael Schumacher and Ronaldo.”