Massa to leave intensive care

Ferrari's Felipe Massa is to leave intensive care after taking his first steps since he fractured his skull in a crash at last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The champions said the Brazilian's condition was improving steadily in Budapest's AEK military hospital.

"The driver has had more exams carried out, confirming his continuing improvement," the team said. "Felipe speaks, can sit upright and was even able to take his first steps. Today he will leave intensive care."

Massa underwent emergency surgery on Saturday after being flown to the hospital in what doctors said was a life-threatening condition.

The 28-year-old was hit on the helmet during qualifying by a metal spring, the size of a Coke can and weighing almost a kilo, which fell off compatriot Rubens Barrichello's Brawn car and bounced down the track.

"From the clinical and radiological point of view everything is going extremely well," said Ferrari.

"Felipe will stay at the AEK! hospita l for the next few days, until he can be taken somewhere else."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, who went to Massa's bedside on Monday when the Brazilian was under sedation, was flying back to Budapest to greet him.

Via: Yahoo! Sport

Harvick wants out at RCR

Kevin Harvick has told Richard Childress he would like to leave after this season, according to multiple sources. Harvick has one year remaining on his contract with RCR, but the Shell/Pennzoil sponsorship deal on the #29 Chvey ends at the end of this season, and Harvick is trying to move with it to Stewart-Haas. Tony Stewart has said his team is interested in running a third car in Sprint Cup in 2010. Childress is in a tough spot. He could hold Harvick to the contract and try to re-sign Shell/Pennzoil, but in a performance-based business, the Stewart-Haas option, undoubtedly, is more appealing to the gas and oil company. If Shell/Penzoil decides to leave, Childress has to find $15 million to $20 million in sponsorship to replace it -- a very difficult prospect in this economy. Harvick would also bring additional Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series capability to the organization, joining the JR Motorsports operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rick Hendrick. Kevin Harvick Inc. competes in both series.

Ferrari blends F1 with on-road models

Ferrari is using the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed to show the world how its road-going supercars have benefited from its Formula One programme.

It will run three models in a special event during the annual British extravaganza: The California, the Scuderia Spider 16M and the 599 GTB Fiorano with HGTE, a race-bred handling package recently given the thumbs up by former Ferrari race pilot Michael Schumacher.

But one car that won’t appear at Goodwood is the upcoming F450, which next year replaces the F430 in the Italian company’s line-up.

The F450 is doing the rounds near the Ferrari factory. It packs a new 4.5-litre V8 engine, said to deliver around 375kW, and a new rear diffuser.

As well as a larger engine and improved aerodynamics it’s likely the F450 will use a version of the Formula One-inspired KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) system, which recovers energy from braking and turns it into usable power.

Also, the F450 will benefit from a more exotic shape than other recent Ferraris. It will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The California is Ferrari’s first front-engined V8 and was designed to echo one of the greatest designs from the company’s history, the 250 GT California.

The new California is packed with the latest technology and include! s Ferrar i’s first dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox, a direct-injection 4.3-litre V8 engine with 340kW on tap, the latest F1-Trac traction control system, a new multi-link rear suspension, and a retractable folding hardtop.

The Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M is a special high-performance model launched to commemorate Ferrari’s 16th Formula One Constructors’ Title in 2008. Limited to an exclusive 499 examples worldwide, the Scuderia Spider 16M features the same ride and handling characteristics of the F430 Scuderia, but with some additional livery options and interior detailing.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano with its HGTE (Handling GT Evoluzione) package is designed to deliver a more dynamic performance.

HGTE includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs, rear anti-roll bar and new calibration settings for shock absorbers. The ride height has also been lowered to further improve body control, and the tyres use a special compound to boost grip.

The car’s electronics have also been upgraded for more prompt response to driver commands. The F1 gearbox’s shifts are now even faster in high-performance settings, while a new engine software strategy has improved accelerator response.

The package also includes styling touches that distinguish it from the standard production car, including a more aggressive front grille, specific 20-inch rims and abundant use of carbon-fibre trim in the cockpit.

Schumacher did about 20 laps of Ferrari’s test track, taking the 599 GTB to its limits during one of the factory’s Pilota Ferrari driving courses. These are organised for Ferrari owners and four levels of courses are available - Basic, Advanced, Evolution and Challenge, along with a special On Ice course and a dedicated one for those wishing to race in the one-make racing series, the Ferrari Challenge.

The courses have been run in Italy for over 15 years and recently have also been set up in the US, China and Japan.

via fiaf1.com, Image(C) daylife