F1 News
Date: 5/July/2012
One of the main talking points on the eve of this weekend’s British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone was the tragic accident suffered by Marussia test driver Maria de Villota.
The Spanish lady, 32, suffered serious head and facial injuries - including the loss of her right eye - during a freak accident while straight-line testing at the UK’s Duxford Airfield on Tuesday.
Witnesses report that de Villota, having concluded her first ever run in the car, was being approached by mechanics when she suddenly surged forwards and collided with the back of a nearby team truck at a speed of around 40mph (65km/h).
The extent of de Villota’s injuries appears to have been caused by striking the tail-lift of the vehicle.
de Villota - who has experience in single-seater, touring car and sports car racing - had completed one previously F1 test, with Renault in 2011. She remains in a serious condition at Cambridge’s Addenbrooke's Hospital.
“Obviously we are very worried for this situation because we are still waiting for some more news,” said fellow Spaniard and F1 World Championship leader Fernando Alonso. “We only know what you all know and there are still some difficult days until the situation is completely clear.
“Sad days, for sure, completely shock when you hear the news and how what happened is possible. Obviously we don’t know all the information it’s difficult to talk about the reasons etc until we know the official version but at the moment, it’s so difficult to imagine how this can happen.”
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton added: “I don’t know her personally, but when I read about it I was absolutely devastated for her and for her family. I think it’s very very tragic and myself and my team, we send on our warmest wishes her way and hope that she has a speedy recovery.”
de Villota is the daughter of former F1 racer Emilio de Villota.
Ferrari star Alonso, who became the first double-winner of the 2012 season last time at Valencia, will start Sunday’s race with a ten point lead over Red Bull’s Mark Webber, with Hamilton a further three-points behind.
Despite his position, Alonso continues to play down his title chances.
“It’s not a situation that maybe we were expecting because there are a few cars that are quicker than us at the moment and we need to close that gap in the next couple of races if we want to fight for the championship,” he said.
“If not, we know that sooner or later they will be in front. We are in race eight or nine of 20, so at the moment championship positions or points are important but it’s not our main priority. First thing is to improve the car.”
But nothing in F1 stands still and Hamilton confirmed that McLaren are to debut a range of new parts for their home event.
“We definitely have some upgrades, so I’m really, really excited to see how they behave on the car and if they actually deliver what we think they’re going to deliver,” he said.
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