Massa back in an F1 car today, but race return still planned for 2010

Today, Felipe Massa will get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car at the Fiorano track. This is in no way a proper test session and looking at the stopwatch will not be on the agenda - there will be plenty of time for that in 2010, when, alongside Fernando Alonso, he will begin development work of the new single-seater.

It is simply an opportunity for Felipe to renew his acquaintance with his natural environment, namely the race track. The Brazilian driver will do a few laps at the wheel of a privately owned F2007, run by staff of Ferrari's F1 Clienti department.

Today's event is significant but in no way does it signify a return to competition in the near future. In fact, based on a previously taken decision and after an informal medical examination in Paris a few days ago, which proved rather positive, but not enough to endorse a return to competition in the next two months, Felipe and the team want to proceed gradually and without any hurry to recover as well as possible from the effects of the accident that happened in Budapest back on 25th July. Therefore talk of a proper return to Formula 1 can wait until the start of the 2010 season and only at that time will the medical checks be carried out, as required by the FIA in order to allow someone who has been injured to return to racing.