Massa completes Ferrari F1 test

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Felipe Massa has tested in a Formula 1 car for the first time since suffering a fractured skull, but Ferrari say he will not return to competition in 2009.

Massa is making good progress since his crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in July and the 28-year-old tested in an F2007 in Italy on Monday.

But Ferrari say they "want to proceed gradually" and do not intend to rush the Brazilian before he is ready.

"Talk of a proper return to F1 can wait until the start of 2010," they added.

Massa underwent neurological tests in Paris on Friday.

According to Ferrari, the outcome was "rather positive", prompting the decision to allow him to get behind the wheel of a privately-owned F2007 on Monday.

In-season testing is banned in F1, but the sport's governing body the FIA gave Massa permission to test using GP2 tyres at Ferrari's test track at Fiorano, as part of his rehabilitation.

But Ferrari insist there is no chance of a comeback in 2009, with only two races of the campaign remaining.