The 32-year old female test driver for Marussia Formula 1 team, Maria De Villota, lost her right eye following the injuries she sustained after a crash in a test session at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, UK. Maria has reportedly crashed into one of their own delivery trucks at the end of a run, at low speed. But she got hit badly in the head and suffered serious injuries to the face as well.

Marussia is still investigating the cause of the accident. Looks like their dream of bringing a female driver to F1 ended up prematurely. We have just been talking how awesome the Formula 1 life can be. Now we hear about this. Turns out the danger is just as real as the fun. Maria remains hospitalized and in a critical but stable condition. We wish her all the best.

John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 Team, with the consent and support of Maria’s family, would like to give the following update, which provides as much detail as is possible at this time: “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.”

“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. “Maria’s care and the wellbeing of her family remain our priority at this time. Her family are at the hospital and we are doing everything possible to support them.”

Marussia