Ferrari rule out Massa return this season

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The Brazilian has been sidelined since fracturing his skull in an incident in qualifying for July's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Having retained a hope of being fit to take part in the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 1, the 28-year-old admitted last week his chances of returning this season were "very, very low" - and Ferrari have now ruled it out completely, announcing in a statement that "talk of a proper return to Formula One can wait until the start of the 2010 season".

Ferrari revealed the medical check-up Massa underwent in Paris on Friday proved "rather positive" and the Brazilian will get back in a Formula One car on Monday when he drives a privately-owned F2007 at the Fiorano track near Maranello, Italy.

The Italian team stressed, though, this was no indication he was nearing a return to action.

The statement on Ferrari's official website read: "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.

"Monday'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 One 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."