Domenicali not ruling out early Massa return

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali is refusing to dismiss the prospect of Felipe Massa making an unexpected return to Formula One this season.

Massa continues to make a steady recovery from injuries sustained from a crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July.

Ferrari had initially stated Massa would return in 2010, however, given the Brazilian's progress there may be a small chance of him being back behind the wheel before then.

As part of his rehabilitation, Massa is due to compete in a karting event next week.

"Every day he is doing a check with his doctor, but not an official medical check," said Domenicali after the Singapore Grand Prix.

"He is working hard on training and next week he should go into the karting activity."

Asked if Massa might race this year, Domenicali replied: "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 per cent, 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."