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Published: Monday July 27, 2009 MYT 3:18:00 PM
Updated: Monday July 27, 2009 MYT 7:38:58 PM

Massa no longer in danger, but eye damage worrying

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - A doctor says Felipe Massa's life is no longer in danger, but that the Ferrari driver sustained an eye injury in his crash which could affect his future in Formula One.

Robert Veres, the doctor who performed surgery on Massa after his crash, said Monday that Massa was stable and remained sedated "to protect his brain."

Veres said Massa had suffered damage to his left eye but didn't "know the quality of this damage."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo said that Ferrari's first priority was Massa's health but that the Italian team doesn't "want to wait too long" to decide on finding a driving replacement.

Earlier report

BUDAPEST (Hungary): Felipe Massa’s health is improving after the Formula One driver made “passive communication” with doctors, and medical scans provided “positive signs.”

Department of defense ministry spokesman Istvan Bocskai told the Associated Press on Monday that Massa was not speaking but that the 28-year-old Brazilian reacted when spoken to.

Massa was in “life-threatening” but stable condition following surgery on multiple skull injuries sustained during a violent crash in his Ferrari Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Bocskai said that military hospital doctors were “reassured” after no complications were uncovered by a CT scan.

The sedated Massa is also being woken up more frequently.

“These are definitely positive signs,” Bocskai said. - AP