Formula One test driver Maria De Villota was seriously injured after her racing car collided with a team support truck Credit: AP/Rob Griffith
The condition of a test driver with the Banbury based team Marussia who was seriously injured in an accident in Cambridgeshire is said to be improving.
Despite severe head injuries in which she lost an eye, 32-year-old Maria De Villota is now described as being in a serious but stable condition.
She was taking part in her first test for the Formula One team at Duxford Airfield when she crashed into a support truck after completing her opening installation lap.
Formula One test driver Maria De Villota has been seriously injured after her racing car collided with a team support truck Credit: AP Photo/Rob Griffith
The family of a Banbury-based Formula One driver who has lost her eye following an accident has issued a statement this evening
“Maria remains in a critical but stable condition here at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. While there is no further news than that at present, we have at least been able to take encouragement from the fact that Maria has remained stable throughout since the accident.
We, the family, are supporting each other here at Maria’s side and we take great comfort from the remarkable medical care she has been receiving. We remain positive and this is due, in no small part, to the overwhelming expression of love and support for Maria from every corner of the world. "
Maria De Villota has lost her right eye after an accident at Duxford airfield yesterday and remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
The surgical team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge embarked on a lengthy procedure to treat serious head and facial injuries sustained by Maria in the accident. The operation began yesterday afternoon and she was in theatre until this morning. Maria remains in a critical but stable condition.
An Oxfordshire based Formula One driver has been seriously injured in a car crash. Maria de Villota was test driving the car for Banbury's Marussia team.
It's thought she hit a lorry which had been used to take the vehicle to the track in Duxford. Andrew Pate has the latest.
Latest statement after F1 crash: De Villota 'conscious'
Statement from the Marussia F1 Team: “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.”
Formula One test driver Maria De Villota has been seriously injured after her racing car collided with a team support truck Credit: AP Photo/Rob Griffith
Formula One test driver with Banbury-based Marussia, Maria De Villota, has been taken to hospital with "life-threatening injuries" after suffering an accident in Cambridgeshire this morning.
The 32-year-old Spaniard was taking part in her first test for the Formula One team at Duxford Airfield when she crashed into a support truck after completing her opening installation lap.
After treatment by trackside paramedics, De Villota was taken to the local Addenbrooke's Hospital, where a spokesman later confirmed she was being attended to in the accident and emergency department.
A Banbury-based racing driver is fighting for her life after a crash on a test track. Maria de Villota, a test driver for the Marussia F1 team, was taken to hospital after her car collided with a lorry at Duxford airfield this morning.
She got into the car, fired it up and did a test run at probably about 200mph in the rain. The car was slightly misfiring but there didn't seem to be any concerns. She came back into the area we were in with the engineers. She slowed down but then suddenly, inexplicably accelerated through the crowd and smashed into the side of the truck. The top of her car and her helmet seemed to take the brunt of it. She didn't move for about 15 minutes. Fire crews were there within seconds and the ambulance within minutes.
– Eyewitness
After a while we thought we saw some movement of her hands but she appeared to be unconscious or unable to move for quite some time.
Villota interviewed before taking to the track today Credit: Marussia F1 Team Twitter
Maria de Villota is currently being treated for life threatening injuries at Addenbrookes Hospital after a collision with a lorry in her F1 test vehicle at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire. These images were published on her team Marussia F1's twitter page before the race.
Villota in her F1 test car before the incident Credit: Marussia F1 Team Twitter
A test driver with the Banbury-based F1 Marussia Cosworth team has been seriously injured in an accident at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.
At approximately 09.15am, 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. Maria has been transferred to hospital. Once her medical condition has been assessed, a further statement will be issued.
Banbury-based test driver suffers 'life-threatening injuries'
Maria de Villota, a test driver for the Marussia F1 team, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after her car collided with a lorry at Duxford Airfield this morning.
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.
– Gary Sanderson, East of England Ambulance Service
The accident is said to have happened at low speed after Villota pulled off the track following a lap during which she reached speeds of about 200mph.
