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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 1, 2009

Autos: Schumacher visits Massa at hospital in Hungary


BERNADETTE TOMSITS
Associated Press Writer

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Michael Schumacher visited injured Formula One driver Felipe Massa on Saturday at the Hungarian hospital where the Brazilian is recovering from his high-speed crash.

Schumacher, who is coming out of retirement to replace Massa at Ferrari, left the AEK hospital with former Ferrari boss Jean Todt. He did not talk to reporters, but later posted a message about the visit on his Web site.

"Good that I finally made it to see Felipe, I feel better now," Schumacher wrote. "I am surprised at his extreme positive condition, as the accident was only one week ago. We sat together for around three hours and were chatting with each other."

The seven-time world champion, who retired in 2006, tested a 2007 version of the Ferrari F1 car at an Italian track on Friday.

"I have to say that today I feel muscles I was not even aware anymore they exist," Schumacher said. "But then it was clear that 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."

Massa's family doctor Dino Altman said Saturday that the Brazilian was "doing well" and was "anxious to go home." According to Altman, Massa will fly home to Sao Paulo in a private jet on Monday.

Massa said Thursday that he was thinking about racing again, but Altman said he did not know how soon the runner-up behind Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 Formula One championship could return to the track.

"There's no hurry to bring him back to drive," Altman said. "The most important (thing) is to have him fully recovered, in a safe situation."

The 28-year-old Massa underwent surgery on multiple skull fractures after he was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car and crashed into a protective tire barrier during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix last Saturday.

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Associated Press writer Pablo Gorondi contributed to this report.