Former Marussia test driver Maria de Villota has passed away, aged 33.
The Spanish racer, daughter of ex-Formula One driver and British Formula Three series champion Emilio de Villota, raced in several categories including Spanish F3 and sportscars before joining Marussia as a test driver in March 2012.
In July of last year De Villota was involved 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 spent a month in hospital, but went on to make a strong recovery.
De Villota continued to be involved in motorsport, becoming an Ambassador for Women in Motorsport with Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, and also participating in both the FIA Drivers’ Commission and its Action for Road Safety campaign.
