Massa shares his first impressions since the tragedy

Rested but marked on the left eye by a large scar, the Brazilian went for the first time to a specially chartered Ferrari truck to give an exclusive and somewhat special interview, the first since he was injured.

Motors Inside give you the comments of the Ferrari driver, now officially replaced by Luca Badoer for the next Formula 1 Grand Prix in Valencia.

How do you feel? What do you remember about the accident?

« It’s a very, very strange feeling. I know the story and therefore I know exactly what happened; a spring came off Barrichello’s car and hit my helmet. I knew something had happened to me, but I didn’t feel anything when it occurred. They told me I lost consciousness at the moment of impact with the spring on my helmet and when I hit the tire wall. After that, I only remember waking up in the hospital two days later. I didn’t remember anything and that’s why the doctors had to explain it to me. When I saw Rob [Smedley, his race engineer], he asked me if I remembered Rubens [Barrichello], I told him the last thing I remembered was being behind him at the end of my second Q2 lap, but that I had a clear track. It’s hard to explain. I feel much better now and I want to get back in shape and compete again as soon as possible to get back behind my Ferrari. »

Would you like to thank someone?

« First, I want to thank God. Then, the circuit doctors and those at the AEK hospital in Budapest who have done so much for me. And Dino Altmann, who came with my family from Brazil and who have been great these past few days to support me.

« But I also want to thank everyone who prayed for me and supported me and wrote via my website or Ferrari’s, hoping that everything gets better. So many people supported me, even those who don’t like Formula 1, but they heard about the accident: Thank you very much, and I would like to tell them that I would pray for them. I would have done the same if an accident had happened to another driver: I would have wished for everything to get better for them as well. »

What importance has your family’s presence here had?

« My family is important to me. They have always been close to me during my career, my victories and defeats, or the most difficult moments. Only Edoardo [Massa, his brother] was in Budapest, but when the accident happened, Raffaela, my father, my mother, and then my sister came to Hungary. I know they suffered a lot and I would like to thank them. Then there’s another family. I would like to thank the Ferrari family. They have been great! They helped us as much as possible and it’s great to be part of this group. »

What will be your first wish once you return to Brazil?

« When I get home, I will see if everything is as before. A lot has changed in recent days and I want to return to a normal life. I want to come back in the best possible conditions, do things that we do every day… »

For a while, your single-seater will be driven by Michael Schumacher: do you have any advice for him?

« Michael [Schumacher] doesn’t need my advice! He’s the one who gave me advice throughout my career when we raced together. He knows how to win, how to drive, and he is very good: he was the best choice we could make to drive the other Ferrari. He’s a great person, and I’m sure everyone will be happy to see him back on the track. I still hope to return to the track as soon as possible! »

After the interview, Massa flew directly to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he lives to improve his physical condition and complete his recovery with his wife, Raffaela Massa. Dino Altmann, Massa’s personal doctor, was also part of the trip aboard a private jet.

The video of the interview:

Article modified on August 14, 2009