Felipe Massa is hoping to return to race action later this year, specifically targeting his home race at Interlagos.

The Brazilian, who is back home in Sao Paulo recovering from injuries sustained during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, told television channel Globo; "I cannot wait to race again, I hope I can do the Brazilian Grand Prix."

However, he is aware that the final decision is not really in his hands, adding: "It's for the doctors to say. I have to show I can be ready."

While there has been speculation in recent days that the Brazilian might be back in action as early as next month at Monza, this has been dismissed by experts who claim that doctors will want to supervise his progress for a little longer. Indeed, before he is allowed back into an F1 car he will need to undergo a series of rigorous tests at the hands of FIA medical experts and ophthalmic specialists.

"I think I am going to do some laps in a Kart beforehand," said Massa. "Then I will go to the FIA to do the examinations and get the authorisation to come back to racing."

Massa has won his home race twice, in 2006 and again last year, when, for a few brief seconds, he appeared to have won the world Championship, until Lewis Hamilton passed Timo Glock at the very last corner, thereby securing the title.