Will Schumacher step in to replace Massa?

The Ferrari driver Felipe Massa is out of danger but surgeons at the hospital in Budapest where he was taken after his accident in last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix fear he may never regain full vision in his left eye.

Whether he will be able to race ever again is questionable, but it is certain he will not be able to take part in the second half of the F1 season.

As result, there are reports today that Ferrari could ask their former champion driver Michael Schumacher (pictured right, with Massa) to come out of retirement.

The team has three reserve drivers on its books to back up Massa and his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen. They are Luca Badoer, Marc Gené and Schumacher, the seven-times world champion. According to a report in the Independent, neither Badoer nor Gene are thought likely to be given the seat - hence the speculation that Schumacher might make a comeback

This was initially ruled out by his manager, but Ferrari sources say all options are open and Schumacher's spokeswoman, Sabine Kehm, said he would not rule out standing in for Massa if asked. "Usually, I would say he's not interested because he's fine with his life and he doesn't miss anything - but now the situation is so different," Kehm told BBC Sport today.

Reports from the AEK military hospital in Budapest last night said Massa was groggy but breathing unassisted and moving his limbs. He suffered his injuries when a metal suspension spring fell off the car ahead of him - the Brawn of Rubens Barrichello - and flew through the air and hit him on the helmet. Such was the force that it punctured his helmet and fractured his skull as well as damaging his eye.

Ferrari's president, Luca Di Montezemolo, flew to Budapest to visit Massa. He said his main concern was the driver's recovery and that the team would consider his replacement later. By chance, the accident happened on the final race before the Formula One four-week summer break. But he will have to make his mind soon if Ferrari are to race two cars at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on August 23. ·