F1’s Felipe Massa on his near-fatal 2009 Hungary GP accident

This Thursday marks the 15th anniversary of the accident that seriously injured Felipe Massa in 2009. During qualifying for that year’s Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, the Brazilian was hit at high speed by a spring that had detached from Rubens Barrichello‘s Brawn. In addition to the Brazilian’s accident, that race was also marked by a series of important events. Records and personal milestones were broken in Budapest in 2009. However, it was all overshadowed by Massa’s accident.

In an exclusive interview with Motorsport Brasil, Massa spoke about the drama he experienced at the time and highlighted the factors behind his return—and the difficulties of getting back behind the wheel of the Ferrari.

The backstory

The 2008 season had ended on a high for Massa—the Brazilian had won the last race of the year, in Brazil, and for a few brief moments had the driver’s title in his hands. However, Timo Glock slipped in the rain in the last corners of Interlagos and was overtaken by Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth and won (or, as Massa contends, was improperly given) the 2008 driver’s title by a single point.

In 2009, F1 underwent profound changes and the top teams fell behind the surprising Brawn GP and an emerging Red Bull. Over the course of the year, Ferrari and McLaren recovered. Just as the Italian team was about to shine again, Massa suffered the accident in Budapest.

During qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, a spring detached from Rubens Barrichello’s car and, after bouncing along the track, hit Massa’s helmet at over 250 km/h. Massa went into shock and lost consciousness instantly. The car went straight through a corner and crashed into the tire barrier.

Massa was taken by helicopter to Budapest’s military hospital, where he received treatment, where he spent nine days—two in an induced coma—and underwent two operations. After being discharged, he underwent further plastic surgery to recover the area of his skull that had been hit by the spring. He would miss the rest of the 2009 season (returning in 2010), and the accident would drive a safety push that led to the adoption of the halo on current F1 cars. 

Life goes on

In looking back on that day 15 years ago, Massa tells Motorsport, “I’m very grateful that it was my day, thank God.” The statement may come as a surprise.

“A lot of people say it was unlucky, but I think that, if you look at what happened…on the one hand, I…