Budapest, Hungary – Hospital official felipe massa is in “life threatening” condition after undergoing emergency surgery on a skull fracture following a violent crash in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying yesterday.

Officials at AEK military hospital said massa will be kept sedated on a respirator overnight in the intensive care unit. Medical director Peter Bazso said “Massa’s condition is serious, life threatening but stable”. Bazso and chief surgeon Lajos Zsiros said they expect the Brazilian driver to be awoken today. Ferrari denied Massa’s condition was life threatening, with team spokesman Luca Colajanni saying his state “was a positive one”

Massa underwear surgery one hour after arriving at AEK hospital, the doctors said. The 28-years-old Massa also suffered a concussion but was conscious and in stable condition when he was airlifted to the hospital, Ferrari said. A spring that had fallen off Rubens Barrichello’s formula one car flew up and struck Massa in the helmet during qualifying. An apparently dazed massa continued straight through a curb, across the track and through the gravel area along side the circuit before slamming into the tire barrier.

The impact of the rear suspension part a standard component believed to be made of steel damaged Massa’s helmet, ripping out the visor and leaving a dent on its side. Blood was seen above Massa’s left brow. Following complete medical examination, it emerged he had suffered a cut on his forehead, a bone damage of his skull and brain concussion, Ferrari said in a statement.