Massa's left eye OK, says doctor

Felipe Massa has opened his left eye and can see with it, according to his personal doctor Dino Altmann – raising hopes that the Ferrari driver’s vision has not been permanently damaged and he will be able to race again.

Three days into his recovery after being hit on the helmet by a bouncing spring weighing almost a kilo that had broken free from Rubens Barrichello’s car in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying, Massa is continuing to make encouraging progress in Budapest’s AEK hospital.

Altmann said that the 28-year-old Brazilian is now alert, speaking coherently in different languages and has been able to open and use his left eye, which was giving doctors cause for concern.

“His condition is improving quickly and constantly,” he said.

“He is more and more awake and reactive.

“He spoke to several people today, using three different languages, replying always in a coherent way.

“He’s also progressing with his physiotherapy very well. He opened his left eye and confirmed that he can see with it.

“As far as the near future is concerned we have to be cautious, but I have to say that also today there are very positive signs.”

Peter Bazso, medical director of the AEK hospital, echoed Altmann’s upbeat assessment, suggesting Massa may be well enough to leave hospital by the end of next week.

“My expectation is that he would walk out of the hospital on his own,” Bazso told Hungarian TV channel M1.

“If his recovery continues at this pace, I wouldn't rule out that he could leave within 10 days.”

And while emphasising that Massa’s condition remained serious, Bazso said the risk of complications was “decreasing by the day”.

Massa’s wife, parents, brother and manager Nicolas Todt have remained by his bedside, and Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali returned to the hospital on Tuesday morning.

Domenicali was delighted to see how much Massa had improved since his last visit.

“It’s good to have comforting news,” said the Italian.

“I spoke to Felipe and it was very emotional for me.

“He recognised me and I brought him a message from everybody at Ferrari and from the fans all over the world.

“I told him that his red car will wait for him until he’s ready to race again.

“Now we’ve got to take it step by step and remain cautious, but it’s really incredible to see all of this progress only three days after the accident.”