Photo: en.rian.ru
Marussia, the F1 team that uses Spanish racer Maria de Villota as a test pilot, has recently announced that the driver has lost her right eye and will continue to require medical car after she suffered a strange crash a few days ago.
The 32-year-old had joined Marussia back in March this year, being its first full-schedule female driver since 1992. On Tuesday, she was out on the Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, north of London, testing the F1 car, as part of a straight line series of runs. As she approached the end of a run and was slowing down, her car surged forward and reportedly hit the team’s transport truck.
The impact didn’t take place at high speed, but she hit the truck directly with her head, so the helmet couldn’t offer too much protection. As a result, she was seriously injured in the accident.
"Maria emerged from theatre at Addenbrooke's Hospital this morning after a lengthy operation to address the serious head and facial injuries she received in the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday,” John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 Team said.
"We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving and her family would like to thank the Neurological and Plastics surgical teams. However it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye,” the executive explained.
Marussia is now investigating the accident, as nobody can explain why the car suddenly started accelerating and hit the truck.
The impact didn’t take place at high speed, but she hit the truck directly with her head, so the helmet couldn’t offer too much protection. As a result, she was seriously injured in the accident.
"Maria emerged from theatre at Addenbrooke's Hospital this morning after a lengthy operation to address the serious head and facial injuries she received in the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday,” John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 Team said.
"We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving and her family would like to thank the Neurological and Plastics surgical teams. However it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye,” the executive explained.
Marussia is now investigating the accident, as nobody can explain why the car suddenly started accelerating and hit the truck.
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