24/08/2009
NEWS STORY
In a brief statement issued following the European GP, Felipe Massa has revealed that he is to travel to Miami, Florida, this week as part of his recovery programme.
In Florida, the Brazilian will visit former CART Series medical director Steve Olvey, who played a key role in saving the life of Alessandro Zanardi following his horrendous crash in Germany in 2001.
"I will take my brain scans with me and probably undergo further exams at the hospital in Miami," said Massa.
The Brazilian, who is targeting a return to F1 at Interlagos, watched yesterday's race from his bed at home in Sao Paulo. He revealed that after the race he called compatriot Rubens Barrichello to congratulate him on his victory. The Brawn driver had worn a special message on his helmet in honour of the Ferrari star and after parking his car in parc ferme kept pointing to the message knowing that Massa would be watching on TV.
"I had my fingers crossed all the time, expecting a victory that could keep the Brazilian domination in Valencia," said Massa, who won last year's inaugural event. "Rubens did a fantastic job today. I was checking his lap times and I'm sure he could win even without Hamilton's McLaren problem."