BUDAPEST Felipe Massa was in stable condition following emergency surgery on life-threatening skull injuries he sustained in a crash during Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday.

The Brazilian driver was being kept in intensive care overnight at AEK military hospital.

A loose car part hit Massa in the helmet, causing him to veer straight into a tire barrier at about 190 kph (120 mph).

“At the time he was admitted to hospital his condition was stable and he was breathing and blood circulation was normal,” the Hungarian defence department said in a statement.

Massa underwent surgery around 420 pm local time, about an hour after being airlifted to the hospital. His Ferrari team said the surgery was positive.

Hospital doctors subsequently said Massa's condition was “serious, life threatening but stable” at a press conference, but ultimately ruled the 28-year-old was in “stable, satisfactory condition.”—AP