Massa (F1 driver) fighting for his life!

[this_is_gav]

Most likely Gene and Badoer alternating, though a few are rather optimistically calling for MS to return.

It was odd (and I think Martin Brundle mentioned it) that the torque tube was bouncing around when there didn't appear to be any other activity in front of Massa. Looking at the reply, it just seems to appear out of nowhere.

It was the damper spring from Barrichello's car, 4 seconds up the road (you can just see it going around turn 4). It wasn't bouncing back to Massa but going in the same direction, but due to the closing speed it appears as if it hurtles out from the trees towards him. So long as it stayed on a hard surface it could quite easily bounce around for a lot longer than those 4 seconds - keep in mind it would have been doing 130mph+ itself when it came off the car.

It's believed to be the spring marked 1 in this picture and weighs around 800g (or nearly the weight of a bag of sugar)... which is quite a lot when you hit it at around 150mph.

For the record, the nasty cut above his eye appears to have been made by the conveyor belt on the tyre wall, not as a result of the initial, more serious impact.

[Gerrard]

Ok, that makes more sense. It sounded like Rubens was complaining that his suspension had broken at the start of qualifying, and that part had just been knocked around the track. No doubt they will be more info today pre-race.

[this_is_gav]

Rubens said it felt like the suspension wasn't right throughout qualifying, but it was almost undrivable, even in a straight line, when it started dispensing itself across the race-track.

[Skii]

Thats a big old spring

[this_is_gav]

Massa is talking in 3 different languages and his left eye is apparently showing no problems at this stage. The doctors are even suggesting he could leave hospital with in the next 10 days.

Considering the bloke was fighting for his life, that would be some recovery!

Obviously out of F1 for the rest of the season, but the main thing is he lives to see his first-born. Anything else is secondary.

[pauldarkside]

....but the main thing is he lives to see his first-born. Anything else is secondary.

Well said. Not really a fan of his but I'd certainly not wish him any ill. He's a very lucky man.

What got me was the media reporting that followed. An unfortunate, freak accident and they jumped on and tried blowing it out of all proportion. Shouldn't really have expected anything else from them - at least they came across as being stupidly ignorant, I just hope the majority saw through it.

[idimmu]

im glad to hear he is recovering well. i couldnt believe it when i heard, especially after what happened to henry surtees only a week or so back.

[Disturbedguy]

Been working night shift so missed the qualifying today. I was shocked to hear Massa had been hurt. Although not a great fan of his i do hope he makes a quick and full recovery. Does anyone know who will fill his car for future races?? As i'm sure this will put him out until next season.

There was talk of Mike Schuey possibly filling in for rest of the races, but i think that has been dismissed.

[Brucelles]

He does seem to have been very lucky. I seldom watch the F1 these days, but I did hear about this from a chap in the street, so it was big news in Paris.

I am pleased that he seems to be making excellent progress.

[Mblaster]

There was talk of Mike Schuey possibly filling in for rest of the races, but i think that has been dismissed.

Ferrari are now planning to have Schumacher stand in for Massa if he can pass as fit enough to drive in 3 weeks time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8172310.stm
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/7/9703.html