Maria De Villota, F1 Test Driver, Loses Eye In Crash

Maria De Villlota was severely injured during a car crash yesterday at Duxford Airfield when the Formula One test driver crashed into a team support truck. De Villota lost her right eye in the crash. She is currently in stable but critical condition.

John Booth, team principal of the Marussia team, said:

“We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving and her family would like to thank the neurological and plastics surgical teams. However it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye. Maria’s care and the well-being of her family remain our priority at this time. Her family are at the hospital and we are doing everything possible to support them.”

Booth went on to praise the emergency workers at Duxford Airfield who were able to give Villota on-site care before she was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge via ambulance.

“In the meantime, we would all like to take this opportunity to praise the emergency services at Duxford Airfield, who were on stand-by yesterday, as is usual procedure for a Formula One test.”

Booth said that the team is currently analyzing the accident to find out what caused the crash. According to Sky News, it is believed that an anti-stall mechanism kicked in as De Villota approached the pit area. The alleged mechanical failure caused De Villota to crash into the truck at about 30 mph.

Booth said:

“With regard to the accident, we have embarked on a very comprehensive analysis of what happened and this work continues for the moment. Finally, we have been overwhelmed by messages of support for Maria, her family and the Team and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for those.”