Massa returns to crash scene

Ferrari's Felipe Massa has described as 'special' his return to Hungary where 12 months earlier he survived a spectacular crash that almost cost him his life.

The Brazilian spent nine days in hospital following the accident, which left him unconscious and with a fractured skull after a spring that had broken of Rubens Barrichello's car struck him in the helmet.

One year on and Massa said his top priority at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix was to meet with marshals and medical staff who saved his life.

"My first meeting when I arrive at the circuit will be with all the marshals and medical staff who did such a very good job of carefully getting me out of the cockpit," Massa said.

"I had to stay in hospital for a week after the accident and I got to know the staff, who all treated me so well. One unusual result of the whole unfortunate episode is that I know I now have a lot more fans in Hungary."

Massa said last year's dramatic crash had made him value life more.

"I appreciate the ordinary things in life 10 times more. It has put life and my health in perspective, not taking anything for granted," he told the Ferrari website.

The 29-year-old was leading last week's German GP until controversial team orders saw him allow team-mate Fernando Alonso to pass him before going on to win the race. Ferrari was later fined $110,000 over the controversial manoeuvre.

But Massa refused to comment on last week's drama preferring to focus on the strong performance of his car.

"In Germany, we produced a great team result and if people were asking why Ferrari kept saying for several weeks before that the F10 had improved a lot, they got the answer in Hockenheim," he said.