One week after Formula 2 driver Henry Surtees was killed during a race at Brands Hatch in England, Brazilian Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa fractured his skull while attempting to qualify for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Like Surtees, Massa was struck by a loose object on the track, in this case a spring belonging to the car of driver Rubens Barrichello. The contact with the spring left Massa concussed as he lost control of his Ferrari at 120 mph and slammed into a tire barrier. Video of the spring striking Massa and his car striking the wall after the jump.  

Massa woke three times on Monday to communicate with his family, which is an encouraging sign. CNN reports: "Peter Bazso, the medical director of the AEK hospital in Budapest, confirmed that Massa's injuries had been 'life-threatening' after he careered off the Hungaroring at 200 kph in his Ferrari, but that his condition was now 'slightly improving.'"

Here is an animated rendering of the spring's impact with Massa's face:

 

F1 driver Massa wakes for family (CNN)