Massa won't return to F1 racing this year, says Ferrari

Maranello, Italy - Ferrari Sunday put an end to speculation over a possible return to racing this season by Felipe Massa. The Brazilian, who sustained head injuries at the end of July, will not race until next year subject to further medical tests, the Italian team said on its website. Medical tests on Massa on Friday and Saturday 'proved rather positive,' and the driver is due Monday to get back behind the wheel of a Formula One car at the Fiorano track. 'Tomorrow's event is significant but in no way does it signify a return to competition in the near future,' a Ferrari statement said. 'In fact, based on a previously taken decision and after an informal medical examination in Paris a few days ago, which proved rather positive, but not enough to endorse a return to competition in the next two months, Felipe and the team want to proceed gradually and without any hurry to recover as well as possible from the effects of the accident that happened in Budapest back on 25th July. 'Therefore talk of a proper return to Formula 1 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 (motorsport federation) FIA in order to allow someone who has been injured to return to racing.' Ferrari said Monday's run out in a F2007 was 'in no way a proper test session and looking at the stopwatch will not be on the agenda.' It was instead an opportunity for Massa 'to renew his acquaintance with his natural environment, namely the race track.' Next year Massa and new team-mate Fernando Alonso will begin development work of the new Ferrari single-seater. Massa had himself admitted last week that he was unlikely to compete again this season. He has been out of action since sustaining head injuries during qualifying for July's Hungarian GP. He had already ruled out a return at his home GP in Sao Paulo next Sunday and said there was little chance of him making the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 1. Massa spent two days last week in a racing simulator at Modena in an effort to show his return to fitness from the injury sustained when a rear suspension spring fell off the car of Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello car and hit him on the head.