After a major crash last year cost Maria de Villota her left eye and nearly her life, the former F1 test driver was found dead in her hotel room in Spain today.
Authorities report the driver died of natural causes. She was only 33.
The news has sent shockwaves throughout the racing community. De Villota underwent numerous surgeries to repair major skull fractures from her testing incident and was cleared to return to the track in February this year, but opted to trade her race seat for a position with the FIA's Road Safety Campaign. She was routinely seen around the paddock after her recovery speaking with officials and drivers about safety on race weekends.
FIA President Jean Todt said, “Today is a tragic day for motor sport. My deepest condolences go to the de Villota family. María was a fantastic driver, a leading light for women in motor sport and a tireless campaigner for road safety.
“Above all she was a friend I deeply admired,” he added. “Through her courage, strength and determination she transformed her personal misfortune on the track into a powerful message for road safety that was heard at race tracks and beyond around the world. María was a beloved member of the FIA family. Our thoughts go to her family today.”
Photography by LAT
