11/10/2013
NEWS STORY
Former Marussia test driver Maria de Villota has been found dead in a hotel room in Spain.
A message on her Facebook page reads:
"Dear friends: Maria has left us. She has gone to heaven and all the angels. We thank God for the year and a half more that we had together. Signed: Family Villota."
The daughter of former Formula One driver Emilio de Villota, Maria contested various series including the World Touring Car Championship, the ADAC Procar Series, the Superleague Formula and also contested the 2005 24 Hours of Daytona.
In March 2012, having previously been linked with the Lotus Renault GP, for which she made her F1 debut in a test at Paul Ricard, Maria was confirmed as a test driver with Marussia.
During testing at Duxford Aerodrome in July 2012 she collided with a stationary truck sustaining serious head and facial injuries.
Though she subsequently lost her right eye there was no neurological damage.
It is understood that Maria, who was due to attend the What Really Matters youth congress in Seville, was found in her hotel room earlier this morning.
Her autobiography 'Life is a Gift' was due to be published on Monday.
Pitpass and its readers extends its sincere condolences to her husband Rodrigo Garcia Millan, her family and friends at this tragic time.