I don't know if any of you guys were watching the Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend which took place in Hungary, but during the second round of qualifying on Saturday, Felipe Massa was ripping his lap until a suspension spring from Ruben Barrichello's brawn came out and struck Felipe's helmet. Felipe was on the high speed part of the track, so he was traveling at speeds over 200km/h(120mph) when the spring hit him. After the impact, he lost conscious and drove into a tire wall. He was air lifted out and went through surgery for the fractured skull and a brain concussion that he suffered during the collision. Ferrari say that he might not be able to race again... Poor guy.
wow that sucks alot. He looks dead in the first picture. Ive changed the springs in my car and i can tell u those things are not light at all :/
Yea, I saw this and it didn't look good for him. At the speed he was going getting hit with that spring caused lots of damage, I still can't get over the chances of getting hit on the head. I mean the spring could have hit the car but hitting him right on the head is just mind blowing. Hope he pulls through.
The springs they use in F1 are completely different from our regular automotive springs. The spring that hit Massa was just over 1lb. in weight, and it's really small. I saw a photo of the spring somewhere this morning and it had an Eibach logo, so I guess that's who makes the springs. I hope Massa can pull through and make a full recovery. Prayers go out to him and his fam.
true...when i think about it if it had been a regular heavy spring it would have taken his head off at that speed. Thankfully it was a light spring and hopefully he'll pull through
I just read the news from his web page. He is doing well, he is talking to his wife and and other family and friends that are there and remembers who everyone is and can speak in coherent and thoughtful sentences and hold conversations. He was able to open his eye and confirmed he could see out of it. Doctors still do not know if he will be able to drive in F1 again but says that it may be possible depending on how his eye progresses and if there is any long term issues with his brain. Ferrari has said that his car will await his return. So good news is that he looks to be doing alot better. It was a freak accident and thankfully he seems to be ok. But even hitting 1 lb at 200 kph is a lot of energy to be dissipated on a helmet, just goes to show how a helmet can save a life on the track and off the track.
wow i dint knwo it was that bad, he looks messed up in that pic... they say Alonso or Shumacher will be replcaing him for rest of the Season
wow. like nica said, what are the chances the spring would smack him right in the head... no doubt about it that helmet saved his life. hes lucky it wasnt like a whole tire and wheel or something. then it probably would have been a rap for him unfortunately.
Crazy enough actually I think the week before in an F2 race a driver actually died because a crashed car tire hit him in the head :thud: The fact that these two incidents happened so close together is very scary.
If anyone cares to read info or stay updated on his condition his website is updated when new developments. FELIPE MASSA • Official Web Site Just pick your language and go to news. Just thought I let others know if they wanted to keep up or what not.
Unbelievable, What are the odds. I hope he gets better and back into his car. If anyone deserves a break it would be him...Good luck Felipe...:thumb:
