Ferrari driver Felipe Massas comeback from a life-threatening accident took another step on Sunday,with the Formula One team receiving permission from the FIA,motor racing's governing body for him to test one of its cars. In-season testing is banned in F1 as a cost-cutting measure,but the FIA say Massa can test using GP2 tyres at Ferraris Maranello base,using no parts from the F60 model employed by the team this season. The Brazilian is due in Italy this week to use Ferraris simulator for the first time since his accident the Hungarian Grand Prix. The test will not use the SFR 2009 car or any of its parts and the tyres for the test will be those used in GP2 and is being conducted by medical representatives and not the competitor (Ferrari), said an FIA statement. The stewards have considered this matter and have decided this does not represent a breach of the in-season testing regulations. Although Massas recovery appears to be going well,a Ferrari spokesman has played down talk of an early return. Felipes recovery is proceeding in a very positive way,but there are no plans to accelerate his comeback, the spokesman said. Steady progress Massa drove eight laps at the Grana Viana karting track on the outskirts of Sao Paulo before rain ended his test. The session was attended by his personal doctor Dino Altmann. He had been a bit worried about the pressure of his helmet on the part of his head where he suffered the fracture,but it was OK, said Altmann. Such has been his progress that team boss Stefano Domenicali,speaking at the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend,refused to rule out the possibility of him appearing again before the season is out. It is too early to say, Domenicali said after Sundays Singapore Grand Prix,adding,I dont want to exclude anything,but we need to be cautious. As part of his preparations for a return to F1,Massa will race in the International Challenge of the Stars event in the Brazilian city of Florianopolis in late November.
