Marussia F1 test driver Maria de Villota is in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge following a crash at Duxford Airfield.
de Villota joined Marussia in March
The Spaniard, 32, was completing her first test of the MR-01 at around 9.15 this morning. Chris Mann, a reporter for BBC Cambridge who witnessed the accident, said the car “suddenly accelerated” following an installation run and collided with the team’s support lorry.
The Russian team, which originally entered into F1 in 2010 under the Virgin banner, is at Duxford to complete two days of testing. It has so far failed to score any points in the World Championship in just over two seasons.
De Villota joined Marussia in March this year after a previous test drive with Renault. She is the first female to be involved in the sport since Giovanna Amati drove for Brabham in 1992, and has said it was “a fantastic opportunity” to gain experience with an F1 team and advance her career. She is the daughter of Emilio de Villota, who raced in Formula 1 during the late 1970s, and brother of Emilio junior, who has raced in Porsche Supercup and Spanish Formula 3.
de Villota began racing in Spain in 2001
Marussia is to release a further statement once De Villota’s medical condition is understood. The injuries sustained are believed to be life threatening, so we will keep you posted as new information comes to light.
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