FRANKFURT: Michael Schumacher would consider coming out of retirement if Ferrari asked the seven-time Formula One champion to drive for the injured Felipe Massa, his spokeswoman said Tuesday.

“If Ferrari approaches Michael, he would think about it,” Sabine Kehm told German news agency DPA, but added that it was up to Ferrari to make the first move.

Kehm did not reply to e-mails and telephone calls from The Associated Press.

Schumacher, the former Ferrari driver who holds nearly every record in Formula One, retired after the 2006 season.

His manager Willi Weber told German media after the Hungarian that Schumacher had no intention of returning.

The 40-year-old German driver, who had 91 wins in 250 Formula One starts, still acts as a consultant for Ferrari.

Italian newspapers have mentioned Schumacher as one of Ferrari’s options, along with test drivers Marc Gene and Luca Badoer. Ferrari has said no decision has been made.

“I understand Ferrari’s future is of great interest but at the moment we haven’t thought about it at all,” Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told La Repubblica daily.

“Felipe’s condition is the absolute priority,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “Once we will know more about his situation we will decide what to do.”

Massa improving

Meanwhile in Budapest, Felipe Massa continued to show improvements in his condition Tuesday, and Ferrari officials expressed hope that he could eventually return to Formula One.

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali and his predecessor Jean Todt visited Massa and his family in the hospital, where the Brazilian driver is recuperating from surgery on multiple skull fractures following a high-speed crash.

Domenicali said Massa’s recovery would be a “step by step” process but sounded optimistic about the Brazilian’s chances of returning to the track.

“As soon as he will be back, that is his car,” Domenicali said outside the hospital. “For me it was incredible to see a fantastic improvement after just three days.” Doctors said Monday that Massa could be released as early as next week.

Massa’s family doctor Dino Altman on Tuesday described the racer as “more alert than he was before” and “improving continuously,” adding that Massa was answering questions in three languages.

Altman also addressed what is considered one of the most crucial issues with Massa’s health — vision in his left eye, which was injured in the accident.

“Yes, he can see with his left eye,” Altman said. “He knows what’s right and left so his left eye has no problems. His eyesight is OK.”

Doctors said Massa was awake and breathing unassisted, able to move his limbs and having brief conversations with family members and the medical staff.

Peter Bazso, medical director of the AEK hospital, said his condition could still deteriorate again, but that “naturally, this risk is diminishing day by day.”

Bazso added that it was possible to fully recover from injuries like those suffered by Massa.

“I expect him to leave the hospital on his own two feet,” Bazso said. “I don’t rule out (Massa) leaving within 10 days.”

The 28-year-old Brazilian driver was hit in the helmet by a loose part from another car and crashed into a protective tire barrier at 190 kilometers per hour (120 mph) during qualifying Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

F1’s governing body FIA is investigating the accident.

Todt is a candidate to become president of the FIA when Max Mosley steps down in October.