Felipe Massa nearly runs over Ferrari chief Maurizio Arrivabene in pit lane during Austrian Grand Prix practice

Ferrari team principal runs out into the pit lane seconds before Massa shoots out of his pit box

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene gives Felipe Massa the thumbs up (Getty Images)

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene had a lucky escape during first practice for the Austrian Grand Prix after Felipe Massa jammed on the anchors just before running him over.

The Ferrari chief stepped of the pit wall to make his way back to the Ferrari garage while the opening session at the Red Bull Ring in Salzburg, although he made big error in not looking for any cars making their way down pit lane.

Much to his delayed surprise, Massa’s Williams shot out of his pit box and quickly accelerated, only to slam on the brakes when the bright red figure of Arrivabene appeared directly in front of him.

Arrivabene appeared startled at first like an Italian rabbi caught in the headlights, but soon remembered to get out the way and let the Brazilian driver continue to make his way out onto the track. He even had the calmness to give the former Ferrari star the thumbs up as he passed.

Watch the video below…

Massa ended the session down in ninth, four-tenths slower than Williams team-mate Valtteri Bottas.