Maria de Villota: Formula 1 reserve driver found dead in Seville...
 

Formula 1 reserve racing driver Maria De Villota has been found dead in a hotel room in Seville, Spain.

No cause of death has yet been released for the 33-year-old Spaniard, who lost her right eye in a crash while testing for the Marussia team last year

De Villota, daughter of former Formula 1 driver Emilio De Villota, suffered severe head and facial injuries after colliding with a lorry.

She was reported to have been in Seville to launch her autobiography.

F1 teams and drivers have expressed their shock at the news.

Caterham reserve Alexander Rossi, an occasional analyst for BBC Sport, said: "Absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear Maria De Villota has passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out. We will never ever forget you."

Mercedes added: "Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Maria de Villota following the tragic news of her passing.

"Her courage, determination and hope were an example and inspiration to many. She will be sadly missed by our sport."

De Villota had previously competed in Spanish Formula 3 and the Daytona 24 Hours race

That's horrible RIP, sounded like she had a promising career ahead of her.

Jesus, I had no idea it was the same women who had lost her eye last year, that was all over the news and she was on it again not long ago.. Terrible news

I remember watching some report not so long ago on female's roles in F1 and she was on it, a really important era for Women in F1 as well with Susie Wolff only last year becoming a development driver

A statement read by de Villota's sister Isabel said the family had been informed that her death was a legacy of her injuries last year.

"Maria left us while she was sleeping, approximately at 6am, as a consequence of the neurological injuries that she suffered in July of 2012, according to what the forensic doctor has told us," said the family statement



..I remember the crash when she was test driving and ran into the back of a lorry/ramp because it was at Duxford airfield, which is not far from where I live...

Not after she lost her Eye