July 26, 2009

Massa's Condition Update

Felipe Massa remains in a "life-threatening, but stable" state, and will be kept in a medically induced coma for the next 48 hours.

Peter Bazso, the medical director of the AEK Military Hospital in Budapest, also said that he's "in an acute phase.  What can come next, we don't know."  The good news is that there was no neurological damage and the results of brain scans were "encouraging."  He will be given another CAT scan later today, according to the Ferrari press office.

Massa was woken up briefly so doctors could check on his condition and so he could see his family.

I think it's safe to say that he's probably going to be out for the rest of the season.

Posted by: Wonderduck at 07:28 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 If he isn't bleeding, and there's no neural damage, what is it that they're afraid of?

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at July 26, 2009 01:53 PM (+rSRq)

2 Who knows?  But when someone is hit in the face by a two pound piece of metal at 160mph, I'd think they'd want to be more careful than not.

Posted by: Wonderduck at July 26, 2009 02:32 PM (ZpwKm)

3

I understand that, and they're being prudent. Just don't understand why they think his condition is still life-threatening.

Is there any chance that Brawn will face some sort of disciplinary proceeding about this?

Posted by: Steven Den Beste at July 26, 2009 04:33 PM (+rSRq)

4 Well, according to the AP, he has an "open skull fracture", which according to allabouttbi.com puts him at high risk of infection.  It may very well be, though, that they're worried because they had to remove pieces of his skull:

Peter Bazso, the AEK hospital medical director, told reporters that Massa would remain sedated until Monday, but will be woken up periodically during that time.  When asked whether Massa's life remained in danger, Bazso answered: "Yes, of course."  Bazso said doctors were able to "remove the broken bones and stabilize the area," which was necessary since Massa arrived with "an open skull fracture and a contusion."

Removal of the broken bones is done to reduce pressure on a swelling brain.  That's probably what they're concerned about, and if they haven't put in a temporary replacement to the missing pieces, his brain'll fall out.

As far as the Brawn disciplinary matter goes, I haven't heard or seen anything like that at all.  The team was asked to check Jensen Button's car in the time between Q2 and Q3 yesterday, just to make sure that it wasn't a design problem inherent to the Brawns.  As a result, he didn't get to take to the track until half the 3rd session was over.  The FIA technical nabobs let him go, so they seem to think it was just an unlucky racing incident.

Barrichello was four seconds ahead of Massa on the track, and around a corner from him to boot.  It's amazing to think that that spring bounced along on the racing line right where Massa wound up. 

Is it possible that Brawn'll get penalized?  I no longer think it ISN'T possible, because who really knows what the FIA'll do anymore?  But I think the chances of it are slim.  At worst, they'll be forced to redesign that portion of their car, much as Red Bull had to do to their front suspension last year.

Posted by: Wonderduck at July 26, 2009 07:37 PM (ZpwKm)

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