Rome - Felipe Massa remains hopeful that he will regain fitness in time to race in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix next month.

The Ferrari driver has been out of action since sustaining head injuries during qualifying for July's Hungarian GP but spent six hours in a racing simulator in Modena this week in an effort to show his return to fitness.

"We worked very well and without any problems," Massa was quoted as saying on the Italian marque's website.

The 28-year-old Brazilian has already said he will not be able to return for his home race in Sao Paulo in two weeks' time but a decision on whether Massa can race in Abu Dhabi on November 1 depends on the results of his proposed test in a 2007 vintage Ferrari on GP2 Series tyres.

The likely circuit for such a test would be Barcelona but won't happen this week with Massa instead expected to continue simulator training Wednesday.

"We'll see for Abu Dhabi, we'll need FIA authorisation. It depends on the test," Massa told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Massa also admitted he was lucky to have recovered from such a serious injury, which occurred when a rear suspension spring fell off the car of Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello car and hit him on the head.

"The damage could have been very serious and, considering the way I am feeling now, I have no doubt I was very lucky," he said.

"It's shocking but I was asleep and couldn't feel anything."

In 2010, Massa will partner two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who replaces Kimi Raikkönen. (dpa)