FELIPE MASSA EXCLUSIVE
Ferrari ace came out of coma - then fought with brother
FELIPE MASSA woke up from a coma following life-saving brain surgery - and immediately started a FIGHT with his brother!
Ferrari's stricken Formula One star also tried to rip out the tubes and drips that were helping his recovery in the wake of his horrific 163mph crash during qualifying for last Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.
And then, incredibly, he insisted: "I would have won the race." Speaking for the first time since cheating death in a freak accident, the Brazilian admitted: "I know I am lucky to be alive - but I WILL race again.
"When I woke up I didn't know why I was in hospital so I was asking 'Why am I here?' I was pulling all the tubes and my brother Eduardo tried to stop me so we had a fight.
"The accident was just so unlucky but I know I am lucky to be alive. I don't remember anything of what happened." Massa, 28, was knocked unconscious, his skull was fractured and his eye was badly damaged by the 2lb spring that flew off the rear of fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car.
He was rushed to Budapest's AEK Military Hospital with life-threatening head injuries. Britain's reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton won the race and then dedicated it to his Ferrari rival.
And as Massa woke from his coma he told his brother: "That was my race. I couldn't believe it when they told me Lewis had won and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen was second."
Massa's 25-week pregnant wife, Rafaela, and his parents Luis Antonio and Ana Elena flew overnight from Brazil to be by his bedside. They joined Eduardo - who watched his brother plough headlong into a tyre barrier - as he came out of a coma last Sunday.
There were fears Massa's eye injury might end his racing career but he is making a good recovery. He will fly home to Brazil by private jet tomorrow.
Massa has even been able to jokily tell Michael Schumacher not to get too comfortable in his seat in the Ferrari. The seven-time champ has come out of a three-year retirement to replace Massa while he recovers from his injuries.
Schumacher visited his pal in hospital yesterday just 24 hours after completing 67 laps in a two-year-old Ferrari at their Mugello test track in Italy.
Schuey said: "It is good that I finally made it to see Felipe. I feel better now. I am surprised at his condition as the accident was only one week ago. We sat together chatting for three hours and I really feel relieved now."
But Schumacher admitted he was feeling the effects of driving again.
He added: "I have to say that I am feeling muscles I was not even aware existed any more. But you cannot test for a day after such a lot of time without feeling anything, and I am curious to see what will happen in the coming days."
Schuey, 40, is preparing to race in the European Grand Prix later this month. And he declared: "After a couple of laps I was able to drive constant lap times and I was happy with the performance."
Schumacher insists he has not missed F1 since retiring in 2006, having racked up 91 wins. But he is now relishing his return.
He added: "F1 has not excited me since I retired. I put myself at a certain distance and it doesn't feel the same at all. But I will now be fully focused. It is not so much the adrenalin that I am looking for - I'm not full of adrenalin when I race.
"It is the excitement of the wheel-to-wheel fighting and the achievement that you can have."
And Schumacher has been backed to make an amazing comeback at the European Grand Prix by WINNING the street race in Spain.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said: "Michael can certainly win the race. He won't be getting into a car that was as dominant as the one he had, but the Ferrari is improving. And Felipe won the race in Valencia last year with ease.
"Michael may be 40, but age has nothing to do with it. He is still very fit and a great driver. It is great news for F1 that he is back. I know all the other drivers are pretty excited.
"Maybe they want to try and give him some lessons, but they should watch out."
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This article has 8 comments
Shumacher should stay retired !!!!
since he left the sport all the other F1 drivers have been much more friendly and the whole atmosphere between ALL the drivers is much better with smiles on all their faces !!!
This will all chance now he is back as it is clear he is not liked because of his dangerous tactics on the track plus his arrogant attitude off the tract !!!
I repeat !!! DO US "ALL" (real F1 sports fans) A FAVOUR MR. SHUMACHER AND STAY RETIRED"
P.S. Get well soon Filipe !!!! Because you deserve to be a F1 Champion and will be one day!!!!
By Louis Daniel Brennan.. Posted August 4 2009 at 8:33 AM.
Turns out you didn't talk to Felipe at all but reported second-hand comments made by his brother - a pretty underhand and deceitful article. If an MP or other high-profile individual did similar, you would mercilessly pursue them for not telling the entire truth. Unfortunately, Ian, your reputation takes a major knock.
By Ed.. Posted August 3 2009 at 12:30 PM.
GREAT TO SEE FILIPE HAD COME THROUGH THE WORST , I PERSONALLY THINK IT WILL BE NICE TO SEE MICHAEL BACK RACING WILL ADD AN EXTRA DIMENSION TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR .... HOPE TO SEE MASSA BACK SOON ...
By RICHARD JAMES.. Posted August 2 2009 at 6:37 PM.
Glad that Massa's getting better, and that there appears to be no long-term damage. Can't wait for Valencia, just hope that Michael is fit to drive
By Jenny.. Posted August 2 2009 at 2:21 PM.
So pleased Massa getting better - however now the fun begins with good old Schumacher back - can't wait -he's certainly one of the best and proves his dedication to F1 come on Schu
By Ruth B.. Posted August 2 2009 at 12:56 PM.
Great to see Massa getting better. Shumacher will make a big interest in the races he drives but ultimately F1 is boring and until there is proper racing as there is in Moto GP most people will watch the start and end.
By Graham.. Posted August 2 2009 at 11:00 AM.
Bernie Ecclestone is right. Schumacher's return to F1 is massive. The audience figures will go through the roof on the next few races. Michael will have a lot of expectation on his shoulders. Let's just hope the people don't expect miracles on the first race.
By Duncan, Didcot.. Posted August 2 2009 at 8:18 AM.
Thank god for some class in F1 again, ill be watching intently Michael for the first time since you retired. I know you can do it, win for all of us who believe in you still and for your mate Massa!
By christine.. Posted August 2 2009 at 7:58 AM.