Ferrari dedicate podium to Massa

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali dedicated Kimi Raikkonen’s second place in yesterday’s Hungarian Grand Prix to Felipe Massa.

Raikkonen secured the team’s best result of the season by finishing runner-up to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton at the Hungaroring, offering a ray of light on a dark weekend for the team.

Massa remains in a stable condition in the AEK military hospital in Budapest after undergoing emergency surgery on Saturday to repair a fractured skull in the wake of his freak accident in qualifying.

The 28-year-old underwent a CT scan yesterday that was described as “reassuring” by Peter Baszo, the doctor tending to Massa, although he is still in a medically-induced coma.

Domenicali, who immediately after the race left the track to see Massa, said: “We dedicate the result to Felipe.

“At this time all our thoughts are with him and his family, and I think this sentiment also applies to those who are close to him and to fans all over the world.

“Kimi drove a great race, and the team worked in impeccable fashion, concentrating on the job despite what happened.

“We got the best result we were capable of, but please allow me on behalf of everyone at Ferrari to send our best wishes to Felipe.

“We love you and we are all thinking of you.”

That message had been earlier underlined by the team’s mechanics who displayed a pit board in the garage with the words ’forza Felipe siamo con te’ – ’strength Felipe we are with you.’

Race-winner Hamilton also paid tribute to Massa, ensuring he spoke warmly despite the joy he also felt at his victory.

“Maybe I can speak for all the drivers, but Saturday was quite a sad day, and we missed Felipe,” remarked Hamilton.

“For me, I’ve had a great relationship with Felipe for quite a few years now, and some great battles with him.

“I’m just glad the surgery went well, and we’re just going to keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

“He’s got a child coming, so he needs to get back into top shape so when he’s finally a dad, he can do the job well.”

Rubens Barrichello had tears in his eyes when he spoke about Massa, notably as he was not allowed to see him on Saturday night when he visited the hospital as only immediate family were given access.

It was a spring from Barrichello’s Brawn GP that struck Massa on the helmet at 162mph that caused the accident that culminated in the Brazilian straightlining into a tyre barrier.

“If I can be of any help then I will stay,” said Barrichello before he left for the hospital in the hope of finally seeing Massa.

“I would love to see him because he is a friend, not just because the spring came from my car.

“It is for the fact that I know he would have done the same for me.

“But at the same time I have to think of my kids, of my family, and to be there for them, so it is a bit of an emotional moment.

“It is burning a little bit in my stomach, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking of him in the the middle of the race.”

Raikkonen, who joined Domenicali, Barrichello and Brawn GP team principal Ross Brawn on a visit to the hospital, is convinced Massa will make a full recovery.

“It’s a sad thing that’s happened from a very unlucky situation,” said the Finn.

“But as long as we race with open cockpits our heads are always the first place that’s going to be hit if something is flying around. It is part of racing and we all know that.

“What happened was really unfortunate, but luckily enough he’s more or less okay.

“He’s probably going to be a 100% fine in a little time. We in the team all hope he’s going to be fine and come back soon.”