The latest phase of Felipe Massa’s recovery is running smoothly, Ferrari can confirm. The Brazilian, who suffered a freak accident in qualifying ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, spent approximately four and a half hours in surgery on Monday but is now resting following a successful procedure.

Having been struck in the head by an 800g steel spring at the Hungaroring, Massa remained in Budapest’s ÁEK hospital for nine nights before flying home to São Paulo, Brazil.

A semi-conscious Massa struck the Hungarian barriers at Turn 4

Two Sundays ago the Ferrari driver, who has since slipped to ninth in the Drivers’ Championship, travelled to the United States in order to visit specialist Professor Stephen Olvey in Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The Brazilian underwent surgery in his hometown on Monday for roughly four and a half hours as doctors performed cosmetic surgery to the area of Felipe’s head – just above the left eye socket – which was struck by the flying object. Massa will remain in hospital for a short time before returning home to continue physical preparations ahead of his F1 return in 2010.