Ferrari’s latest track-only machine, the 599XX, has finally made its debut on the tarmac, at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit in Spain. Driving the car for the first time was F1 pilot Felipe Massa, who commented: “I really enjoyed testing this car, I think it’s extremely powerful and has an exceptional stability. Considering that it has been planned for the track it’s really easy to drive.”

That is quite a testament to the car’s capabilities, especially considering it makes an unwieldy 700-hp at 9000 rpm, from its 6.0-liter V12 engine and runs on racing slicks.

Ferrari debuted the car ahead of its first official 2010 season Formula One test at the Valencia track, and brought out all the 599XX owners to participate. Ferrari will organize a series of track events for 599XX owners over the course the next year in Europe, America and Asia.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX Track Debut in Valencia

See after the jump for video of the first official track test of the 599XX

Sadly, Michael Schumacher will not return to Formula 1 this weekend, although there is a possibility that the 7 time World Champion will be back in 2010. Schumacher today posted on his personal website that he could not return to the sport after recent testing at Ferrari’s private track in Mugello revealed fractures in his neck from a motorcycle crash earlier this year.

“I am disappointed to the core,” wrote Schumacher. “I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races.” 

So with Schumacher out of the running to replace the injured Felipe Massa for this weekend’s race in Valencia, Spain, Ferrari was left to choose between two less than ideal candidates, Marc Gene or Luca Badoer. Gene hasn’t raced an F1 car since 2004, and it’s been a decade since Badoer last did. Still, today Badoer got the call from Ferrari head Luca di Montezemolo that his services were needed back in the big leagues.

Schumacher’s announcement, however, does not mean that a comeback is impossible; at least according to di Montezemolo who is pushing for a rule change that would allow Ferrari to run three cars in 2010, one of which would be piloted (at least in part) by Schumacher.

[Source: F1Live and AutoSport]

[Photo Credit: Kappakstur]

Formula One driver Felipe Massa is expected to get back behind the wheel of a Ferrari race car after doctors say he is recovering and suffered no long-term injuries from his frightening accident during last-weekend’s race.

Massa’s personal physician Dino Altman made the statement and said Massa stood up and even walked around his hospital bed in Budapest.

“He doesn’t seem to have a long-term injury,” Altman told Yahoo, who also said that Massa’s brain  condition “is improving and there is nothing to worry about.” Altman also said that Massa suffered no permanent damage to his eyes in the accident.

Massa was hit in the helmet by a spring that had fallen off another car, fracturing his skull in two places and causing him to lose consciousness and slam into a tire wall. The incident happened during qualifying at the Hungarian grand-prix on the weekend.

Doctors say that if Massa continues to recover at the same speed he will be moved to a hospital in Paris in about 10 days.

[Source: Yahoo]

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa suffered a fractured skull in two separate places after being hit in the head by a piece of debris on the track while testing at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The debris was actually a suspension spring which came off of the car of Brawn GP driver and fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. It was immediately obvious something was seriously wrong when Massa made no attempt to steer the car clear of any obstacles and simply locked up the brakes to shave up as much speed as possible before slamming into a tire wall.

Massa was immediately airlifted to the AEK hospital in Budapest where he underwent emergency surgery. Peter Bazo, medical director at the hospital said that Massa’s injuries were life threatening but that he was “slightly improving.” After surgery he was put into a coma and has since been woken three times to meet with his family, including his wife who is pregnant with the couple’s first child.

The accident came just a week after Formula 2 driver Henry Surtees was killed at a race at Brands Hatch in the U.K. after being hit int he head by a tire.

Massa, a constant top-contender in the Formula 1 world championship, was just coming off a third-place finish at the German GP two weeks earlier (pictured celebrating above). With just three weeks until the next race, the Ferrari team is in need of a replacement driver. Ferrari has two strong candidates, but there is also speculation that Michael Schumacher could come out of retirement to race in Massa’s stead.

[Source: CNN and TimesOnline]