Maria de Villota hospitalized after an accident in testing

While participating in a straight-line testing session for the Marussia team, Maria de Villota, 32, was involved in an accident, the severity of which is yet to be determined.

These tests were an opportunity for the Spanish driver to gain experience while the current Formula 1 is moving towards a drastic reduction in private testing sessions, but also for the Russian team to test new improvements that should be seen at Silverstone.

Most of the information received so far indicates that the Marussia collided with the rear of a vehicle – a truck – parked near the testing area. Reported by the website of the Daily Mail, Gary Sanderson, spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service, stated that a woman is suffering from life-threatening injuries, and after intervention at the scene by medical teams, she was transported to Addenbrookes Hospital for further care.

12:15: Marussia has officially responded through a statement: « At approximately 9:15 this morning, the Marussia F1 team’s test driver, Maria de Villota, had an accident in the team’s MR-01 at Duxford airfield where she was testing the car for the first time. The accident occurred at the end of her first installation run and involved a collision with a team truck. Maria has been transferred to the hospital. Once her condition has been assessed, a further update will be provided. »

12:20: According to BBC News, the Spanish woman is reportedly seriously injured following the accident with the truck that was used to bring the car onto the track.

**13:11:** Chris Mann, journalist for the *BBC*, and present at Duxford at the time of the accident, recounts: The car slowed down to be backed into the pit (here it’s a big tent). But at the last moment, the single-seater suddenly accelerated and hit the truck, at around 50-65 km/h. The helmet struck the edge of the truck. It didn’t seem to move for 10 to 15 minutes. We then saw movement in their hand and it took almost an hour to get them out of the car in a stable condition. For its part, the *Autosport* website reports that the driver’s life is at risk.

13:55: According to hospital sources, the driver is in serious but stable condition.

3:30 PM: Still according to hospital sources, Maria de Villota is said to be suffering from facial and head injuries. While initial reports indicated that the Spanish driver was in serious condition, Spanish journalist Cristobal Rosaleny reveals that she reportedly spoke with her parents who have rushed to her bedside at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, which, if confirmed, could bring a glimmer of hope regarding Maria de Villota’s condition.

16h40: According to a statement from Marussia, Maria de Villota is conscious, and medical examinations are ongoing.

Find more information about the health status and the reactions from the F1 community to Maria de Villota’s accident on casinoenligne.uk.com…