The doctor of Felipe Massa believes the Ferrari driver could walk out of hospital as early as next week.

The 28-year-old Brazilian is currently in intensive care at the AEK military hospital in Budapest after suffering a fractured skull in a freak accident on Saturday during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Massa underwent emergency surgery after arriving at the hospital, following which he was put into a medically-induced coma.

Yesterday, Massa showed significant signs of recovery, which prompted doctors to take him out of the coma while also taking him off a respirator.

He has shown further encouraging signs by responding well to questions and, while Peter Bazso, the medical director of the AEK military hospital, maintained his condition does still remain life threatening, he is optimistic about Massa's recovery.

"My expectation is that he would walk out of the hospital on his own. If his recovery continues at this pace, I wouldn't rule out that he could leave within 10 days," he told Hungarian TV channel M1.

"He's spending more and more time awake, talking to family and friends.

"I would like to point out that, although he's recovering, this is not the end of the story, he is still in a life-threatening condition.

"Of course, the danger is decreasing by the day."

Massa was hurt when a spring that had fallen from the back of Rubens Barrichello's car struck him on the helmet at 162mph, dazing him and causing him to lose control of his car and crash into the tyre barriers at high speed.

Massa's family were not at the Hungaroring when the accident occurred but have since flown to Budapest to be at his bedside.

Massa was also today visited by former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt, who is a candidate to replace Max Mosley as the FIA president when he steps down from the role in October.