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Towards the end of this video (until it is taken down) they do slow frame back and fort to showwhat hit him - looks like a spring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TeSkCvtOnU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
HQ one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT8-faIRDFw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"The 28-year-old was struck by a piece of debris deposited by Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP as he had earlier complained of something breaking at the back of his car.
Replays showed a part of the car coming off the Brawn and bouncing along the same area of the Hungaroring track where the drama began for Massa.
...
With Massa stricken in the car, photographs later emerged showing a fist-sized dent in his helmet, and with his visor up, there was a large cut over a blackened left eye."

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954, ... 03,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It was the "heave" spring off Barichello's car [the heavier center spring in the suspension]. Massa suffered a skull fracture and concussion. Surgery was performed and he'll be kept in ICU under observation.

Needless to say, he won't be racing tomorrow. Ferrari will field only one car because it's the driver who qualifies, not the car.

Very scary accident given the death of Henry Surtees last weekend after he was struck by a wheel/tire that came off another car when it crashed.

wow. notice he got on the brakes but never lifted off the gas

Looks like Massa may be pre-maturely "retired" according to doctors. He's got motor skills and is awake but to drive again? Don't think so.

Massa's racing future in question

that's really sad..

i wonder if there's going to be safety required repercussions from this. something like the HANS device after Earnhardt. thicker visor?.. not even sure that would have done much.

If they wait too long, the eye injury won't be repairable. Of course, that's provided it could be repaired in the first place.

A side note: I'm amazed at how bad the video narration was with that report. "Life-threatening surgery"? While technically true of any neurosurgery, that's not the point; it's the life-threatening injury that matters. Second, he's not in "satisfactory" condition, at least not in any recent report. The doctors said he was no longer in critical condition. He's still in the ICU, medically induced coma and under constant observation. Third, Henry Surtess didn't die because he crashed, he died from injuries suffered when he was hit by the wheel.

I know it's just sports reporters and their approximate grasp of the facts and I should just discount it as that, but jeez, how off can you be in 25 seconds of video?!

Jeff Shyu wrote:i wonder if there's going to be safety required repercussions from this. something like the HANS device after Earnhardt. thicker visor?.. not even sure that would have done much.

Only a closed cockpit would've prevented this. But then...this wouldn't be "open-wheel" racing. And also reading on eKartingNews.com a few months ago, a 60yr old karter was put into a coma after a tire/wheel off a kart came flying off and bounced into the track from the OTHER side at 40mph and hit him sideways. He didn't even see it coming. He's still recovering.

And speaking of another near- miss!

Renault Banned for Next Race

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:If they wait too long, the eye injury won't be repairable. Of course, that's provided it could be repaired in the first place.

A side note: I'm amazed at how bad the video narration was with that report. "Life-threatening surgery"? While technically true of any neurosurgery, that's not the point; it's the life-threatening injury that matters. Second, he's not in "satisfactory" condition, at least not in any recent report. The doctors said he was no longer in critical condition. He's still in the ICU, medically induced coma and under constant observation. Third, Henry Surtess didn't die because he crashed, he died from injuries suffered when he was hit by the wheel.

I know it's just sports reporters and their approximate grasp of the facts and I should just discount it as that, but jeez, how off can you be in 25 seconds of video?!

TV reporters in general seem to be unable to wing it. Just look at extended coverage of a car chase or a brush fire. They say some of the stupidest things, I often wonder if they are looking at the same thing I'm seeing on screen.

Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:

Jeff Shyu wrote:i wonder if there's going to be safety required repercussions from this. something like the HANS device after Earnhardt. thicker visor?.. not even sure that would have done much.

Only a closed cockpit would've prevented this. But then...this wouldn't be "open-wheel" racing. And also reading on eKartingNews.com a few months ago, a 60yr old karter was put into a coma after a tire/wheel off a kart came flying off and bounced into the track from the OTHER side at 40mph and hit him sideways. He didn't even see it coming. He's still recovering.

It would be open-wheel racing, just not open cockpit. Remember Cristiano de Matta? He was at-speed during practice at Road America and hit a deer. That was three years ago, and he's still working on a comeback.

Senna, da Matta, Massa. What is it with Brazilian drivers?

Rick Brown wrote:

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:If they wait too long, the eye injury won't be repairable. Of course, that's provided it could be repaired in the first place.

A side note: I'm amazed at how bad the video narration was with that report. "Life-threatening surgery"? While technically true of any neurosurgery, that's not the point; it's the life-threatening injury that matters. Second, he's not in "satisfactory" condition, at least not in any recent report. The doctors said he was no longer in critical condition. He's still in the ICU, medically induced coma and under constant observation. Third, Henry Surtess didn't die because he crashed, he died from injuries suffered when he was hit by the wheel.

I know it's just sports reporters and their approximate grasp of the facts and I should just discount it as that, but jeez, how off can you be in 25 seconds of video?!

TV reporters in general seem to be unable to wing it. Just look at extended coverage of a car chase or a brush fire. They say some of the stupidest things, I often wonder if they are looking at the same thing I'm seeing on screen.

Amazing, isn't it.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:It would be open-wheel racing, just not open cockpit.

Stand corrected.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:Remember Cristiano de Matta? He was at-speed during practice at Road America and hit a deer. That was three years ago, and he's still working on a comeback. Senna, da Matta, Massa. What is it with Brazilian drivers?

And the irony of Felipe's accident was caused by a part that fell off ANOTHER fellow Brazilian driver's car (Barrichello). Maybe now nephew Bruno Senna will start to "re-think" this whole "F1 driver" thing.

IF massa can not continue racing, what are people's guesses on the driver lineup shuffle?

Jeff Shyu wrote:IF massa can not continue racing, what are people's guesses on the driver lineup shuffle?

He's definitely out for the rest of the season. Speculation that Shumi will come out of retirement or Alonso will join the Scuderia early. More likely that Luca Badeor, the more experienced test driver, will get the seat. However, few of the F1 sites that traffic in rumors have said this because the former solutions are much sexier.

I feel really sorry for Massa who really showed the quality of person he is at the last race of last season, and the "he is okay" that I read would seem to have been a bit exaggerated.

Lauda has some "interesting" comments on what driver to chose and not chose:

Lauda insists if he were Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, he would attempt to lure back Schumacher in a time of need for the team.
"He needs to take a decision," added Lauda.
"For the whole business of Formula One, which is ill anyway because nobody is coming, he (Schumacher) would improve it by 20 to 30 per cent interest.
"But it is a question nobody can answer because nobody knows what Schumacher is doing. But who else is he going to ring?
"The test drivers are useless, and there is nobody else here if you think about it, but if he doesn't want to do it, the idea is finished in the same second.
"But if I was di Montezemolo I would call him."
Sebastien Bourdais, released last week by Toro Rosso and managed by Nicolas Todt who also represents Massa, has also been mentioned.
But Lauda was equally as scathing of the Frenchman, adding: "What do you want to do with Bourdais? I can drive! Honestly.
"Bourdais did not do anything in Formula One with Toro Rosso. He is a real waste of time.
"There is no way Ferrari would even consider him when he couldn't perform in a Toro Rosso against (Sebastien) Buemi.
"The problem is there is a lack of up-and-coming guys."

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954, ... 34,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

sorry Seb.

-kg

Full recovery possible for Massa
Monday, July 27th 2009, 18:00 GMT

...
Colonel Dr. Lajos Zsiros, the chief surgeon of the Hungarian Defence Forces, told a news conference on Monday
...
Zsiros denied the earlier reports that Massa had injured his left eye, which led to speculation about his future participation in Formula 1.
Peter Bazso, the hospital's medical director, explained that it was in fact too early to tell if there was any damage because Massa was still unable to open the eye: "We can give no positive neither negative answer to this, because at this stage the vision cannot be examined."
Bazso made it clear however that a full recovery was still entirely possible for the Brazilian.
...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77383" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kristoffer Gjevre wrote:Full recovery possible for Massa
Monday, July 27th 2009, 18:00 GMT

...
Colonel Dr. Lajos Zsiros, the chief surgeon of the Hungarian Defence Forces, told a news conference on Monday
...
Zsiros denied the earlier reports that Massa had injured his left eye, which led to speculation about his future participation in Formula 1.
Peter Bazso, the hospital's medical director, explained that it was in fact too early to tell if there was any damage because Massa was still unable to open the eye: "We can give no positive neither negative answer to this, because at this stage the vision cannot be examined."
Bazso made it clear however that a full recovery was still entirely possible for the Brazilian.
...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77383" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

From the BBC:

The Ferrari driver's surgeon confirmed Massa's eye was injured when a spring from Ruben Barrichello's car hit him in qualifying in Hungary on Saturday.

"We don't know if he'll be able to race again. It's too early to say about his future," added surgeon Robert Veres.

The colonel doesn't seem to understand that if he can't open his eye, it is injured. duh.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:The colonel doesn't seem to understand that if he can't open his eye, it is injured. duh.

i think they're getting in to Dr Clinton territory. define the "eye" is injured vs say the eye socket. they should just say they don't know if his vision may be impaired

Interesting:

"Preliminary findings suggest the helmet being used by Felipe Massa may have played a significant role in limiting the injuries sustained.
"The FIA 8860 helmet, which took eight years to develop by the FIA and FIA Institute, provides increased protection in all key impact areas."

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954, ... 43,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The eye is apparently fine. Passed tests Tuesday morning with flying colors. In three languages....

Steve Ekstrand wrote:The eye is apparently fine. Passed tests Tuesday morning with flying colors. In three languages....

Where did you read that?

Edit:

Massa’s personal doctor, Dino Altman, added: "His condition is improving quickly and constantly. He is more and more awake and reactive. He spoke to several people today, using three different languages, replying always in a coherent way. He's also progressing with his physiotherapy very well. He opened his left eye and confirmed that he can see with it. As far as the near future is concerned we have to be cautious, but I have to say that also today there are very positive signs."

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/7/9696.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Excellent news! I might not be a tifosi, but Massa's a class act and will be a worthy and deserving world champion some day.

Bob Beamesderfer wrote:Excellent news! I might not be a tifosi, but Massa's a class act and will be a worthy and deserving world champion some day.

Agreed! And I'm sure Rafaella is also relieved.