Maria De Villota, a female Formula One test driver, was seriously injured in a crash on Tuesday at the Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, England. Villota was transferred to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
ESPN reports that De Villota lost control while driving the MR-01 car and smashed into the team’s support truck. De Villota was treated on the scene by paramedics before an ambulance took her to the Addenbrookes Hospital.
Gary Sanderson, a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service, said:
“A woman has sustained life threatening injuries and following treatment at the scene by paramedics, she has been taken to Addenbrookes Hospital for further care.”
The Marussia F1 team said that it was the first time that the 32-year-old driver had driven the MR-01.
Marussia said on its website:
“The accident happened at the end of her first installation run and involved an impact with the team’s support truck. Maria has been transferred to hospital. Once her medical condition has been assessed a further statement will be issued.”
According to F1 News, the truck lift fell on top of the car after the accident and De Villota suffered “facial” and “head” injuries.
ESPN F1 reports that De Villota is now in stable condition and has talked to her family.
Reports in Spanish press say that de Villota is conscious in hospital and has spoken to her family #F1
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) July 3, 2012
USA Today reports that De Villota, the daughter of former F1 driver Emilio de Villota, became the sport’s first full-time female driver since Giovanna Amati raced in 1992.
