Scuderia Ferrari’s dismal season just got another blow as Felipe Massa, the higher of the two drivers in the drivers’ standings, suffered a high-speed crash during qualifying at the Hungaroring. In what seemed to be an incredibly serious crash, Massa’s condition seemed quite precarious at the beginning although soon after, the team confirmed that Massa was stable on his arrival at the hospital.
Following the crash, Massa was airlifted to the AEK Hospital in Budapest. “Felipe was conscious at the arrival at the hospital,” said the team in a statement that was released to the media. Massa was also said to have suffered a cut on his forehead, a bone lesion of the skull as well as a concussion.
The Brazilian was immediately rushed to the operating table where he underwent surgery for all of the above conditions. He is currently under observation at the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.
The crash occurred after Massa was hit by a rear damper spring that had come off of Rubens Barrichello’s car. The spring struck Massa on the helmet and at F1 speeds, a small pebble can feel like a boulder. Massa went straight across the track, into the tyre wall at turn 4 towards the end of the Q2 session.
The beginning of the Q3 session was delayed due to the accident as the medical team rushed to his aid. At the time of the accident, Massa was at eighth in the standings, after the second qualifying session.
Ferrari are expected to provide an update to the media on Sunday morning.