Ex Marussia reserve María de Villota dies.

[Samus]

She died from natural causes according to the post-mortem report.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24487701

Such a shame. I hope the whole paddock pays tribute to her today/tomorrow. She may not have ever really had the skill to reach the F1 grid but she was still a talented driver and nice woman that will be missed.

 

[Spacegoat]

Terrible news to hear first thing in the morning. My thoughts go out to all of her family and friends.

RIP.

 

[ICEYOU]

she died from natural causes according to the post-mortem report.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24487701

rip.

 

[karl53]

Damn, such a shame
RIP

 

[dalhMSP96]

Terrible loss. RIP María

 

[SagarisGTB]

RIP

If indeed she died of natural causes related to the accident (meaning, something snapped in her damaged skull/brain) then the record of zero fatalities in F1 (related accidents), from 1994, is reset.

Unfortunately there was never such a record of zero fatalities in F1. Paolo Ghislimberti, Mark Robinson and Graham Beveridge should not be forgotten so easily.

 

[HKS racer]

Damn.

RIP Maria de Villota, you will race in the Sky with all those racing Legends.

 

[Hun200kmh]

RIP
Unfortunately there was never such a record of zero fatalities in F1. Paolo Ghislimberti, Mark Robinson and Graham Beveridge should not be forgotten so easily.

You are right of course, I should've said "driver fatalities".

Meanwhile, the family, through her sister Isabel de Villota, made a brief statement saying this:



"If you don't mind I will read just a few words. My dear friends: Maria has departed today while sleeping at 6, am or so, as a consequence of the neurological injuries suffered in July 3, 2012, according to what the coroner told us.
Maria is gone, but she left us with a very clear message of joy and hope, with which the family will move forward at this time. Maria will be buried in a family vault in Madrid, in a strictly intimate ceremony. Thank you all for your support and for all the love you have shown. Thank you."

disclaimer: I'm portuguese, not spanish, so if I got anything wrong do correct me.

 

[Bigbazz]

She was only 33, I find it hard to believe that this could be anything other than related to the accident. Pretty sad, she had fully recovered and was even back to driving I thought.

 

[BHRxRacer]

If indeed she died of natural causes related to the accident (meaning, something snapped in her damaged skull/brain) then the record of zero fatalities in F1 (related accidents), from 1994, is reset.

I wouldn't call it an F1 incident really, because it wasn't in a grand prix session or a proper test. If that's the case then I'd include the Marshals as well in the F1 fatalities list.

Nevertheless, RIP. She kept surprising me how positive her attitude was with her life after the accident. If it was me I would've off'd myself within a week.

 

[AnAL0G]

If it was me I would've off'd myself within a week.

Eh, why?

 

[BHRxRacer]

Eh, why?

Shattering my career and dreams AND lose an eye? I need both hands and both eyes at all times otherwise there's little I can do with my life.

 

[PeterJB]

Well, she was cleared to drive, with only one eye, so evidently it wasn't considered to be as much of a hindrance as you're making it out to be.

 

[daan]

Shattering my career and dreams AND lose an eye? I need both hands and both eyes at all times otherwise there's little I can do with my life.

Paul Drayson would like a word.

Drayson was born blind in one eye which, under FIA rules, prevented him from acquiring an international racing licence for participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours. In light of his performance during the 2008 ALMS season and FIA rule changes, he was granted an international licence to allow him the chance of competing in the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drayson finished 37th overall and 12th in class at the race. He also competed at the 2010 event but failed to finish.

 

[Wardez]

Also Alex Zanardi.

 

[Hun200kmh]

And don't forget: this article is wrong, this guy's career in F1 didn't end that day.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/35694.html

 

[Pupik]

And don't forget: this article is wrong, this guy's career in F1 didn't end that day.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/35694.html

His driving career did, though. Now he coaches other drivers, telling more successful drivers than himself how crap they are. Idon'tgetit.

Also, quite amazing how ESPN wrote the article 7 years before the Entertainment and Sports Network was founded.

 

[Hun200kmh]

I think they have a brief article/report about every Grand Prix held to this date. It is useful, even if a bit odd how they went about it. In this particular case you can tell the title is XXIst century made, I doubt a 1972 title would mention Marko.

Anyway, and back to the point, you can do plenty after an accident, even if it changes your life. Frank Williams is also a fine example of that.

 

[BHRxRacer]

Anyway, and back to the point, you can do plenty after an accident, even if it changes your life. Frank Williams is also a fine example of that.

What if I don't really want to achieve anything? I'm too old to get into single seat racing now so I'm a couch potato. All I want is to play video games and get laid until I die. I think I need both hands and eyes to properly enjoy those

Well, she was cleared to drive, with only one eye, so evidently it wasn't considered to be as much of a hindrance as you're making it out to be.

Paul Drayson would like a word.

Yeah I can probably wash my face with my feet, but that doesn't mean I'll like it and/or it'll be as efficient.

 

[Pupik]

What if I don't really want to achieve anything? I'm too old to get into single seat racing now so I'm a couch potato. All I want is to play video games and get laid until I die. I think I need both hands and eyes to properly enjoy those

New challenges. Exceeding benchmarks. Meeting our goals. No matter how trifling or mundane, that's what keeps us going.

 

[Yukon]

Even without knowing them in person, when a racing driver dies, it affects you. The whole community feels it, it's shared and understood amongst us all. The dangers faced and the risks that are taken for the thrill of racing can only be fully appreciated through possessing a love for racing. Even in the aftermath of an accident, another is lost.

Goodbye Maria de Villota.