Massa closer to return as recovery on track

FELIPE MASSA, pictured, is to take another positive step on the road to making a return to Formula One over the next few days.

Massa was this week back behind the wheel of a kart for the first time since his horrific accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in late July when he required life-saving surgery.

The Brazilian, accompanied by personal doctor Dino Altmann, managed just two laps on Monday at the Granja Viana circuit to the west of his home city of Sao Paulo before rain intervened.

However, Massa then completed 60 trouble-free laps on Tuesday, and is to continue karting over the next few days.

Of greater significance, however, is Ferrari confirming Massa is to fly to the team headquarters in Maranello soon where he will use the team’s static simulator. It will afford Massa and Ferrari the opportunity to assess the 28-year-old’s reflexes bearing in mind his accident was just over nine weeks ago.

It was also only three weeks ago he had a titanium plate inserted into his skull at the point of impact where he was hit by a spring that worked loose off Rubens Barrichello’s car.