Ferrari star Massa relieved to be back in the driving seat

FELIPE MASSA insists he is as good as he ever was after getting back into the driving seat for Ferrari for the first time since his horrific accident.

The Brazilian has been sidelined since fracturing his skull in an incident in qualifying for July’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

He got back into a Formula One Ferrari yesterday, in a privately- owned F2007 at the Fiorano track near Maranello, Italy, and was delighted as everything went smoothly.

“It went very well,” Massa said. “What happened last July 25 has not changed anything.

“I didn’t manage to do many laps because it was raining but what I understood today is that everything has returned to how it was before the accident.

“I didn’t have any problems, it was as if I’d never stopped.

“I am still the same as before and that makes me happy, for me and for the team.”

Massa had hoped to be fit to take part in the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 1 but Ferrari have confirmed he will not return to Formula One this year.

The 28-year-old is now focusing on next season and getting as much driving as possible under his belt as he continues on the road to full recovery.

“I am happy, I got into the car and I didn’t have any type of problems,” continued Massa. “Everything went the best way possible.

“Driving and seeing that everything is okay is important, we can work to prepare for the 2010 Championship after a difficult year like this one.”

Massa underwent medical tests in Paris on Friday and although Ferrari said they had proved positive, the Italian team stressed that yesterday’s return to the track was no indication he was nearing a return to action.

Ferrari were also keen to highlight the fact that Massa’s comeback would be handled at a steady pace.

The statement on Ferrari’s official website last night read: “This is in no way a proper test session and looking at the stopwatch will not be on the agenda – there will be plenty of time for that in 2010, when, alongside Fernando Alonso, he will begin development work of the new single-seater.

“It is simply an opportunity for Felipe to renew his acquaintance with his natural environment, namely the race track.

“Tomorrow’s event is significant but in no way does it signify a return to competition in the near future.

“Therefore talk of a proper return to Formula One can wait until the start of the 2010 season and only at that time will the medical checks be carried out, as required by the FIA in order to allow someone who has been injured to return to racing.”

Meanwhile, Donington Park boss Simon Gillett has been given a final two-week ultimatum by Bernie Ecclestone to resolve his financial issues or risk losing the British Grand Prix. Gillett, the CEO of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, is understood to be in breach of contract with Formula One supremo Ecclestone as three deadlines over the past two weeks have all come and gone.

With just eight months to go before Donington is due to stage the race, time is fast running out on Gillett to carry out the multi-million pound upgrade required to turn the venue into a F1-ready circuit.

After acquiring a 17-year contract from Ecclestone in a shock coup last year, Gillett has since been plagued with financial problems, with the latest believed to surround backers Citigroup.

That culminated in what was being seen as a make-or-break meeting yesterday between Gillett and Ecclestone, resulting in the 78-year-old offering the former one final chance to get his house in order.