Test driver De Villota found dead
World Touring Car Championship and Superleague Formula driver, Maria de Villota died of natural causes in a hotel room in Sevilla. She nearly escaped death at a fatal accident last year during an aerodynamic test, and was believed to have recovered. Her family and friends grieve her death.
It was in July last year that she suffered a life-threatening accident performing an aerodynamic test for Marussia at the Duxford Aerodrome ahead of the British Grand Prix. De Villota crashed into the loading ramp at the back of a team lorry.
She lost her right eye but after a month in hospital, she made full recovery from her injuries which included a significant damage to the skull.
A statement released by her family read: "Dear friends: Maria is gone. She had to go to heaven with all of the angels. Give thanks to God for the year and a half we had left together. Signed, the Villota family."