Felipe Massa will drive the F2007

The driver Felipe Massa will return to a Formula 1 car in the coming weeks. Team director Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the Brazilian will test the Ferrari F2007 after undergoing all necessary medical examinations. Although the Scuderia has not yet set a specific date, as they are waiting for the FIA doctors’ verdict. The Brazilian is on the right track to get back into an F1 seat after suffering head injuries during the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying. With the pre-season tests next February, Felipe Massa will have some time to get back to a level close to his pre-accident state. In any case, that’s what everyone at Maranello is hoping for.

He will stay with the team this week, he will do some simulator work and physical training in Maranello. It is mandatory to see a FIA doctor to confirm his condition before doing anything. And then we will make a decision this week to see when he will drive a Formula 1. All I can say is that it is not planned for Felipe to drive in Brazil. For Abu Dhabi, it is very, very unlikely that he will race. The main goal is Bahrain next year, Domenicali says.

Stefano Domenicali added that the primary goal of the test will be to evaluate Massa’s ability in a single-seater and not to chase lap times. With the restrictions on testing in 2009 making driving impossible, running in an old car is the only option.

Our main objective is to ensure that Felipe is correct from a physical standpoint, as with Michael Schumacher, at the beginning of summer. We have asked the FIA to ensure that no violation of any kind is committed with the regulations, and they have granted us permission for this test. This means that when we are ready, we will conduct a track test at Fiorano with a historic F2007 car without any modifications; it’s the client car and GP2 tires, the Ferrari executive is keen to specify.

Mr. Domenicali hopes that the Brazilian will not have a problem with wearing the helmet, which puts pressure on his head injury. But despite his cut on the brow, Felipe Massa did not feel any pain in that area when he drove a kart in Granja Viana, Brazil, at the beginning of this week.

He told me he didn’t have any major issues, even where he was injured. And yes, if he has some minor pain, it’s normal, considering the severity of his injury. But it’s something that will be resolved very quickly, adds the head of Scuderia Ferrari.

Team director Stefano Domenicali is very confident about Felipe Massa’s health status for 2010 to be alongside Fernando Alonso.