27 July,2009 02:25 PM IST | | AFP
Seriously injured Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa can communicate with movements when woken up, a Hungarian defense ministry spokesman revealed today.
"Massa is now woken up increasingly often and is capable of active communication, giving feedback by moving his legs and hands. This is certainly a good sign," Istvan Bocskai said on state television channel m1.
The 28-year-old - winner of 11 Grand Prix and the world championship runner-up in 2008 - suffered skull and eye injuries when he was struck on the head by a spring that broke loose from compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday.
The debris hit Massa's helmet just above his left eye at around 275 kph.
Massa was airlifted to a hospital run by the defense ministry and underwent surgery for skull damage immediately.
The Ferrari driver has been kept in an induced coma since then to help his body to get through the postoperative phase of 48 hours but was woken up from time to time to get information on his condition.
Bocskai said a slow recovery was about to start although "this is not the phase yet when this can be stated as a certainty".
A test to determine if water had accumulated in his bowels was negative, Bocskai said, adding the results were "reassuring".
Yesterday Massa underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan to determine if cerebral damage had occurred.
Asked whether the driver suffered brain injuries, Bocskai said: "The doctors did not observe any signs from the CT to confirm (an injury) but ... it is still early to say anything."
Massa is to undergo another brain scan later today and an update on his condition will be issued later, ministry spokeswoman Andrea Nagy said.
Massa has been with Ferrari since 2006 and was piped by just one point by Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 title race. He is currently seventh this season with 22 points.
