FELIPE MASSA’S Formula One career was yesterday hanging in the balance following confirmation he has suffered some damage to his left eye.

Massa is currently in intensive care at the AEK military hospital in Budapest after suffering a skull fracture following a freak accident on Saturday during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Although the 28-year-old, still in a medically-induced coma, has shown signs of improvement after undergoing emergency surgery, it has now emerged Massa may have sustained eye problems.

If that is the case, and the Brazilian is unable to see properly in the future, it will mean his days in motor racing are over.

Professor Robert Veres, the surgeon who operated on Massa over the weekend, said: “He has suffered some damage to the eye.

“We don’t know if he’ll be able to race again.”

He added: “I don’t know (if he can return). It’s too early to say about his future.

“We don’t know the extent of the damage. Without an operation it’s very hard to evaluate its function.”

Earlier it was claimed that Massa had “a quiet night” as he continued his recovery. Veres confirmed Massa remained sedated “to protect his brain”, which has apparently experienced some swelling, but he is out of serious danger.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo visited Massa in hospital yesterday and insisted no decisions would be taken over the Italian marque’s direction for the rest of the season until the driver’s situation was clarified.