Maranello, Italy - Brazilian Felipe Massa will not return to Formula One racing this season after the head injuries suffered in qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July, Ferrari indicated Tuesday.

However the Italian team said on it website Massa was making good progress and that detailed tests carried out in Florida on Sunday had proved positive.

"Naturally the results were received with great joy and satisfaction at Maranello with the prospect to be able to count on Felipe 100 per cent for the start of the next racing season," Ferrari said.

Massa was seen by Professor Stephen Olvey, head of the Jackson Memorial Hospital Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit in Miami.

"The checks (neurometric and impact tests, cognitive capacity tests) all had a positive outcome, just like the eye exam: everything is in order for Felipe to get back to racing," Ferrari said.

Some plastic surgery is still to be carried out on the skull following injuries suffered when Massa was struck on the helmet by a spring at the Hungaroring.

Surgery is scheduled in the next few days, and after a short convalescence Massa will be able to resume physical work.

"I9m very happy about the results," Massa told the Ferrari website.

"After the small surgery in the next days I can finally start to go to the gym to get back into shape and drive some tests in karts.

"On the track with a Formula 1 single-seater? Let9s take it step by step: at the moment I'm concentrating on taking up physical activities, which is a great step forward."

Meanwhile speculation continues on a replacement for Massa after disappointing results in the last two races from test driver Luca Badoer.

Italian media have named Italia Giancarlo Fisichella - second at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday - as a possible candidate subject to release from Force India, while BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica has also been linked to the team from next season.

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 13 is the next of the five remaining races of the season. (dpa)