Previous Marussia test driver Maria de Villota has passed away, aged 33.
The Spanish racer, child of ex-Formula One motorist and British Formula Three series champion Emilio de Villota, raced in a number of groups including Spanish F3 and sportscars before joining Marussia as a test motorist in March 2012.
In July of final 12 months De Villota had been included in a serious accident during a straight-line test with Marussia at the UK’s Duxford airport, sustaining life-threatening head injuries and losing her right eye. She invested a month in medical center, but went on to make a strong recovery.
De Villota proceeded to be included in motorsport, becoming an ambassador for females in motorsport with Formula One racing’s regulating body, the FIA, and additionally participating in both the FIA Drivers’ Commission and its Action for path security campaign.
A declaration on De Villota’s Facebook web page, finalized by her household, read: “Dear friends: Maria has left us. She had to go to heaven like all angels. We are thankful to God for the extra year and a half that he left her with us”