05 October,2009 10:14 AM IST | | AFP
Felipe Massa's comeback from horrific injuries is gathering pace and the Brazilian is expected to be back in a Ferrari for testing within weeks.
He has been ruled out of making a comeback at his home Grand Prix at Interlagos on October 18, although the door has been left open for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
The respected autosport.com said Massa was due in Italy this week to use Ferrari's simulator for the first time since suffering a fractured skull at July's Hungarian Grand Prix with testing in a car the next step after that.
| Felipe Massa |
"I don't know yet (when the test will be)," team principal Stefano Domenicali was quoted as saying.
"We will decide this week because Felipe will come to Maranello.
"He will stay with the team this week, he will go and do some training in the simulator, physical training in Maranello, and then we will decide when to do this.
"Also, because it is compulsory, he has to do an FIA medical check before doing something. This is something we will decide this week."
The FIA, F1's governing body, has to give the all-clear to all drivers who return after a major accident.
Domenicali said the main purpose of testing would be to assess Massa's fitness, rather than chasing lap times, and ruled out a comeback in Brazil.
"What I can say is that it is not planned to do any driving in Brazil. For Abu Dhabi it is very, very unlikely. The main target is Bahrain next year," he said, referring to the opening race of the 2010 season.
When Massa finally gets back in the cockpit of a Ferrari it will not be their 2009 machine, but rather the F2007 as in-season testing in a current car is not allowed.
Massa drove a kart last week for the first time since the accident in Budapest, when he was struck at high speed by a spring that flew off compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn car.
He will have new partner next season with Spain's Fernando Alonso joining the team and Finn Kimi Raikkonen leaving.
