Marussia F1 Test Driver Maria De Villota has been seriously
injured in a testing crash.
Initially her injuries were thought to be "life threatening" and she was also unconscious when a press release by the Marussia team said "At approximately 09.15hrs BST, the Marussia F1 Team's test driver Maria de Villota had an accident in the team's MR-01 race car at Duxford Airfield, where she was testing the car for the first time. The accident happened at the end of her first installation run and involved an impact with the team's support truck."
However a few hours after being taken to hospital it was revealed that Maria, 32, had regained consciousness and was speaking with doctors. She also had a conversation with her worried family before some of them boarded a plane to London, rushing to her bed side.
BBC Cambridgeshire presenter Chris Mann was at the scene and said the car "suddenly accelerated" before adding "The top of her car and her helmet seemed to take the brunt of it, she didn't move for about 15 minutes.It was an absolutely awful moment. I was surrounded by people that knew her very well, including family, friends, engineers, and her manager."
Helen Brown, a Sky Sports F1 assistant producer, was also there. She said "She left the temporary garage, she went out with one run down the straight and she turned around and came back. Everything looked fine on approach; as she approached the temporary garage where the team were based, her wheels locked and she collided into the back of one of the trucks which the team had brought along.
No other team members were injured in the incident but are obviously shocked and severely shaken by the accident, many of her friends and her manager witnesses the incident.
In a later press release Marussia said "The team can
confirm Maria was transferred by ambulance from Duxford Airfield, where the
accident happened, to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Since Maria's
arrival at the hospital at approximately 10.45hrs this morning, she has been
receiving the best medical attention possible at the hospital, which is the
region's major trauma centre. Maria is conscious and medical assessments are on-going.
The team will await the outcome of these assessments before providing further
comment. The team's first priority at this time is Maria and her family."
Fernando Alonso also wrote “I just got home and found out Maria's accident, we called the family and hopefully we will know more soon! All my energy with you!" Meanwhile fellow Female F1 test driver Susie Wolff said” Sick in the stomach after hearing about Maria crashing in the Marussia F1 this morning. Please please please let her be ok.”
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| (c) Marussia F1 Team |
The incident happened at a straight line test the team were
holding, testing parts for the upcoming British GP. The test was happening at
the Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire. It was her first test for the team and
her 2nd test in a Formula 1 car.
The incident occurred after her first installation run on
the airfield's straight. She was returning to the pits and the mechanics were
moving towards her to push her back into the temporary garage when the car
suddenly lurched forward, thought to be the anti-stall. The car was travelling
at around 40mph when the car struck a stationary support lorry. It is thought
De Villota's helmet took the brunt of the impact, with her Marussia MR-01
sustaining considerable damage.
Witnesses at the track said she was still inside the car
after the crash. She was in the car for between 10-15 minutes as emergency
crews helped her. Because it was a straight line test, the compulsory Fire
Brigade and Paramedic crews were at the test. Paramedics worked on her at the
scene before she was airlifted to Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge.Initially her injuries were thought to be "life threatening" and she was also unconscious when a press release by the Marussia team said "At approximately 09.15hrs BST, the Marussia F1 Team's test driver Maria de Villota had an accident in the team's MR-01 race car at Duxford Airfield, where she was testing the car for the first time. The accident happened at the end of her first installation run and involved an impact with the team's support truck."
However a few hours after being taken to hospital it was revealed that Maria, 32, had regained consciousness and was speaking with doctors. She also had a conversation with her worried family before some of them boarded a plane to London, rushing to her bed side.
BBC Cambridgeshire presenter Chris Mann was at the scene and said the car "suddenly accelerated" before adding "The top of her car and her helmet seemed to take the brunt of it, she didn't move for about 15 minutes.It was an absolutely awful moment. I was surrounded by people that knew her very well, including family, friends, engineers, and her manager."
Helen Brown, a Sky Sports F1 assistant producer, was also there. She said "She left the temporary garage, she went out with one run down the straight and she turned around and came back. Everything looked fine on approach; as she approached the temporary garage where the team were based, her wheels locked and she collided into the back of one of the trucks which the team had brought along.
No other team members were injured in the incident but are obviously shocked and severely shaken by the accident, many of her friends and her manager witnesses the incident.
De Villota was confirmed as the Marussia F1 test driver
earlier this year and is 1 of only 2 women drivers involved in the sport. Her
father, Emilio, is an ex-Formula 1 racer who raced in the 80's.
A number of F1 champions and Formula 1 drivers have
expressed their best wishes to Maria. Jenson Button wrote “"Terrible
accident for Maria de Villota, Marussia F1 team test driver. "My thoughts
are with Maria and her family at this very difficult time."Fernando Alonso also wrote “I just got home and found out Maria's accident, we called the family and hopefully we will know more soon! All my energy with you!" Meanwhile fellow Female F1 test driver Susie Wolff said” Sick in the stomach after hearing about Maria crashing in the Marussia F1 this morning. Please please please let her be ok.”
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