Former F1 driver found dead in hotel room
Published: 2013 October 11 08:25:01 (3300 Views)
Former Formula One test driver Maria de Villota has been found dead at the age of just 33.
Radio Cadena Ser Radio first reported that de Villota died in a Sevilla hotel room despite attempts from emergency services to resuscitate her.
There are no further details at this time but the family confirmed the news on Facebook.
De Villota was in Seville to speak at the 'What Really Matters' conference which has since been cancelled.
De Villota came to international prominence in July 2012 when she lost an eye after being involved in a F1 test crash for the Marussia team.
The accident happened when she was driving the Marussia car for the first time in a straight-line test at Duxford airfield in the east of England.
After completing one run and returning to the mechanics, the car suddenly accelerated into the back of a team truck with her helmet taking much of the impact.
She was the first female driver to test for a contemporary Formula 1 team since Katherine Legge in 2005.
The Spaniard also raced in several series including Spanish F3, the Daytona 24 Hours, and Superleague Formula Championship.
After her accident, De Villota said she wanted to remain a role model for aspiring young female drivers.
"I have motor sport in my DNA and there's no way I can stay away from that world," she said last October.
"I want to keep fighting because I believe so strongly in women being part of motor racing."
De Villota is the daughter of former F1 racer Emilio De Villota.
- Yahoo
Radio Cadena Ser Radio first reported that de Villota died in a Sevilla hotel room despite attempts from emergency services to resuscitate her.
There are no further details at this time but the family confirmed the news on Facebook.
De Villota was in Seville to speak at the 'What Really Matters' conference which has since been cancelled.
De Villota came to international prominence in July 2012 when she lost an eye after being involved in a F1 test crash for the Marussia team.
The accident happened when she was driving the Marussia car for the first time in a straight-line test at Duxford airfield in the east of England.
After completing one run and returning to the mechanics, the car suddenly accelerated into the back of a team truck with her helmet taking much of the impact.
She was the first female driver to test for a contemporary Formula 1 team since Katherine Legge in 2005.
The Spaniard also raced in several series including Spanish F3, the Daytona 24 Hours, and Superleague Formula Championship.
After her accident, De Villota said she wanted to remain a role model for aspiring young female drivers.
"I have motor sport in my DNA and there's no way I can stay away from that world," she said last October.
"I want to keep fighting because I believe so strongly in women being part of motor racing."
De Villota is the daughter of former F1 racer Emilio De Villota.
- Yahoo
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