Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa underwent surgery for a life-threatening skull injury following a high speed crash during Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday. The accident occurred during the second round of qualifying. Massa, who races in car #3, is under contract to race for Scuderia Ferrari through the 2010 season.
A steel suspension spring from Rubens Barrichello‘s car flew up and hit Massa’s helmet, ripping out the visor and denting the side as evidenced by the photo above. The sudden head trauma causing him to swerve, jump over a curb and across the track and through a gravel area before slamming into a tire barrier at a speed of 120 mph.
The 28 year old Brazilian is in stable condition in intensive care at AEK military hospital with a fractured forehead on the left side and a fracture on the base of his skull.
The team Ferrari racer has 11 career wins and is currently in 5th place with 22 points. In his last race, the German Grand Prix, he had a 3rd place finish.
View the Felipe Massa Accident video below. Turn on closed caption – far right on the slider – for English translation.