The Motorsport Archive would like to send its best wishes to Marussia reserve driver Maria de Villota.
Shortly after 9am today, the Spanish driver was involved in an accident during a straight line test at Duxford Aerodrome.
Following an early run, the Marussia reserve pilot was pulling toward the pits, when her car reportedly lurched forward and into one of the team’s trucks. As of 5pm, it has not been revealed how the accident occurred.
It is believed de Villota suffered head and facial injuries in the collision, although examinations are still ongoing.
At 3pm, the team released the following statement:
“Further to the accident involving the Marussia F1 Team’s Test Driver Maria De Villota this morning, the team can confirm that 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 ongoing. 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.”
While this was de Villota’s first test in the MR01, she tested for Renault (now Lotus) last summer at Paul Ricard in the R29. The 32-year-old has previously raced in the now defunct Superleague Formula, while also spending time competing in the Spanish GT Championship and Spanish Formula 3.
De Villota signed on as reserve driver for Marussia at the beginning of this seaon in a move that was considered by some to be little more than a publicity stunt due to the Spaniard’s lack of a Super Licence.
The nature of the incident may see the authorities cast an eye over how straight line tests are laid out and conducted. Irrespective of how the incident occurred, one must wonder how she came to collide with a truck.
Get well soon Maria.
