Ferrari not ruling out Massa for 2009

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali says he is not completely ruling out Felipe Massa racing in Formula 1 this year

Although the Brazilian, out of action since the Hungarian Grand Prix, is still recovering from his injuries, Domenicali said he did not want to exclude the possibility of Massa racing in 2009.

Ferrari had originally said Massa would not return to the wheel of a Formula 1 car until 2010.

The Brazilian continues to make progress with his recovery and will soon begin driving karts before he competes in a race in Brazil in November.

"He is doing every day a check with his doctor, but not of an official medical check," said Domenicali after the Singapore Grand Prix. "He is working hard on the training and next week he should go into the karting activity."

When asked if there was a chance Massa could race this year, Domenicali added: "It is too early to say that. We need to see it step-by-step, and we don't have to anticipate anything.

"He will be back 100 percent but there is no need to anticipate anything if there is something that is not ready.

"I don't want to exclude anything, but we need to be cautious."