Tests show Massa's eye is fully healed

The Ferrari driver's left eye had been a particular cause for concern following the crash, which saw him suffer a fractured skull when a detached suspension component from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn car hit his helmet.

On Monday Massa intends to drive a Formula 1 car for the first time since the accident when he takes to the track in a 2007 Ferrari. He is undergoing FIA medical examinations today and tomorrow at the Pitie Salpetriere hospital in Paris to check the progress of his recovery, and the first of those confirmed that his eye was back to full health.

"The first outcomes are positive," said a Ferrari statement, "especially the ophthalmological exam confirmed that Felipe, who arrived with his personal doctor Dino Altmann, has recovered the functions of his left eye by 100 per cent."

The medical tests will continue on Saturday.

Massa has spent the last week working with Ferrari in Italy, completing two days of running in the team's simulator. He admitted yesterday that he is highly unlikely to be ready to race in Abu Dhabi as he had initially hoped, but is confident of being at full fitness in time for the 2010 season.