Wednesday October 7, 2009
Ferrari to decide on Massa’s test drive date today
MADRID: Ferrari will make a decision today over when Felipe Massa will drive a Formula One car for the first time since his life-threatening accident in Hungary.
The Italian team said yesterday that only after completing a two-day spell in the team’s simulator would a decision over the timing of the Brazilian’s comeback be made.
Williams team boss Frank Williams sent a message of support to Massa yesterday about a possible test at Fiorano on Oct 12, but Ferrari said no date had yet been set.
Massa arrived at the team’s Maranello factory on Monday to work on his fitness and get reacquainted with the team as he continues his rehabilitation from head surgery after a freak accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July.
Massa is still contemplating a possible return this season. Asked if he could make the Brazilian GP on Oct 18, he replied: “It would be too close to the limit. We’ll see for Abu Dhabi (on Nov 1), we’ll need the FIA’s authorisation. It depends on this test.
“I perfectly remember how to drive. My worry isn’t to immediately get a good lap time, but just to drive again,” Massa told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
Governing body FIA has allowed the test, which will be taken in a Ferrari F2007 car that will be fitted with GP2 tires. “I would like to wish Felipe well with his return to a Formula One car next week,” Williams said in a statement. “It is a tribute to the safety standards of Formula One today, and of course to Felipe’s characteristic determination and drive, that he is making his return so soon. I hope that the test proves a successful step in his rehabilitation.”
Williams had been criticised by Ferrari after refusing to allow Luca Badoer to test this season’s car before replacing Massa in the race after Budapest. — AP
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