Recovering Massa to consult with US surgeon

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa will fly to the United States on Friday to see a motor-racing trauma specialist as part of his recovery from the life-threatening head injuries suffered in Hungary last month.

The Formula One champions said the Brazilian would visit neurosurgeon Steve Olvey,who was medical director of the former CART series. Olvey played a crucial role in saving the life of Alex Zanardi in 2001 after the Italian lost both his legs in a horrific crash in Germany. He has also worked with Formula One’s governing body,the International Automobile Federation (FIA),in designing safer helmets.

“I will take my CTs (brain scans) with me and probably undergo further exams at the hospital in Miami,” Massa said in a statement. The Brazilian was struck on the head by a spring that broke free from compatriot Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn car during qualifying in Budapest.