FORMULA One test driver María de Villota has lost an eye during an accident at Duxford Airfield.
Madrid-born María, 32, collided with the tail-lift at the back of a truck during her first-ever drive for team Marussia in a straightline aerodynamic test.
She was said to have slowed down to go back into the pits, but the car suddenly plunged forwards and hit the back of the truck.
Her only previous Formula One experience had been when she test-drove a 2009 Rénault a year ago, but her career now appears to be over before it has begun following the accident.
María was rushed to Addenbrookes hospital, where she underwent an emergency operation lasting several hours.
Neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons worked round the clock to repair her head and facial injuries, but team leader John Booth confirmed today that medics were unable to save María’s damaged right eye.
He said the Marussia team was carrying out extensive analyses into how the crash could have occurred, and are providing every support for María’s family, who are with her at the hospital.
Messages from the Formula One community have come gushing in, and Spain’s Fernando Alonso and the UK’s Jenson Button were among those who posted well wishes on Twitter after the news broke.
