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Very true, I'm sure we're all aware that Massa isn't 100% certain to fully recover. Nonetheless, the reports coming out of the hospital have been generally positive so there is cause to be somewhat optimistic.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Brockman
Nope, depth perception would be all messed up. One COULD learn to compensate while driving a regular street car however I highly doubt you could compensate for F1 speeds. Not to mention there would also be a blind spot and the amount of head turn required to compensate for that would be to much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark
Richard Hammond. He's driven F1 cars after his accident.
The list of drivers that have fully regained their form following serious head injury is very, very short.
As far as other injuries, these drivers are very fit, very motivated, and have the financial resources to secure the best medical care available.
Having children has nothing to do with being a racing driver. Lots of top drivers have raced after their wife or girlfriend produced children.
And the most remarkable of those recovered and gone on to race was Niki Lauda. In a few days is the 33rd anniversary of his crash at Bergwerk - and his story is remarkable.
He was given the last rites and disclosed that he could not move but was aware of the priest - he said he wanted to punch the priests jaw because he, Niki Lauda, was NOT going to die!
Six weeks later he returned and finished fourth at Monza - the blood soaked balaclava is well known.
The only affect ever came in teh last race of the year at Mount Fuji, when Niki decided to withdraw because conditions were too dangerous.
Even Ferrari understood that after what Lauda had been through, this was understandable despite it deciding definitely the championship.
But Niki Lauda went on to win his third world title in 1984 and there have also been resultant health issues in recent years that stemmed from that crash.
Niki deserves immense respect - never the sentimentalist and with a wonderfully dark sense of humor, he was the Nuvolari of his time.
Those of us fortunate enough to have seen him race will always cherish and remember those precise lines, definitive passing manuvers and dominant victories.
Did anyone mention Stirling Moss? His head/eye injury finished Moss's career because his ability had "left" him.
They actually have a bit of a photo wall at The Alfred hospital which helped him in Australia. Being only a couple minutes from the track they believe was a huge factor in him being saved. In addition The Alfred is one of the best hospitals in Australia for neural which is what he required.Quote:
Originally Posted by ioan
They have a graphic photo wall of how he looked when he came in and then how he looked when he left. VERY interesting stuff. There's also this huge signed framed poster which a touching message from Mika on it.
I think that's probably the king of all comebacks, to finish fourth in any race is an achievement, but six weeks after his death was almost certain? Immense. I think he talks nonsense now, but that doesn't matter, he's a great champion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
IIRC Sir Stirling felt he may have attempted to comeback too soon. He tested at Goodwood in the year following his accident and although his times were competitive he felt he was having to think about driving in a way he hadn't had to before. Perhaps the effects of his injuries were not fully understood at the time, but he made the decision there and then.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
Good point. I don't recall the date of this quote but I believe it is an approximation of something Stirling said.Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
"I'm still flat. But I'm flat with my toes lifting."
I took that to mean. I can still be as fast as I was before but I have to think to make it happen whereas before it was automatic.
BTW St. D I think having children does change some (not all) drivers. Certainly from my POV I haven't raced since the birth of my first child - and although I miss it I would feel very much like that Moss quote. I'd feel like I was forcing something I used to do naturally.