Felipe Massa has admitted that the possibility of him returning to Formula 1 in time for the season-finale in Abu Dhabi is very unlikely.
After initially setting his sights on a dream return at his home Interlagos race next week in the early phase of his rehabilitation from the head injuries he suffered in July, Massa has since held out hope that a race comeback could still be possible before the year is out.
However, while he returned to Ferrari’s simulator this week and is due to drive an F2007 at Fiorano early next week, the Brazilian has conceded that his race comeback is likely to have to wait until Bahrain next March.
“I hope that I’ll be back soon, but I also know that the best thing is that I’m coming back 100% at the start of the next season,” he said in a question and answer session with fans on Ferrari’s official website.
“My dream would be to race in Abu Dhabi, but the possibility is really, really low…”
Massa’s return to an F1 track environment has been pencilled in for Monday, with the Brazilian first needing to pass an FIA medical check-up in Paris on Friday.
After being pleased with his work in the team’s race simulator, the 28-year-old is keen to cover as many miles as possible on his proper track return and is confident that his body will be ready to take the F1 strain again.
“I spent two very intense and interesting days driving [in the simulator] in Barcelona and then in Interlagos and Abu Dhabi,” he said.
“Tomorrow I’ll go to Paris for some medical check ups at the FIA and on Monday, if the weather is fine, I should finally be behind the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater.
“I hope that I can do many miles and do well, not only in terms of performance but also as far as constant lap times are concerned.
“I’m confident and I think that there won’t be any problems. It’s true that a Formula 1 vibrates a lot and there is lots of physical stress, but I’m used to it.”
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