Maria De Villota Update: Stable Condition but Lost Her Right Eye

MarussiaMaRussia MR01Russian Federation, 2012 > 20121 photo
test driver Maria de Villota had surgery on July 4 following her accident on July 3 when she crashed into one of the team's trailers. She suffered head and facial injuries, and the surgery was able to stabilize her condition. However, de Villota's injuries were severe, and the surgeons had to remove her right eye. 

“Maria emerged from theatre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital this morning after a lengthy operation to address the serious head and facial injuries she received in the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday.

“We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving and her family would like to thank the Neurological and Plastics surgical teams. However it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye.

“Maria’s care and the wellbeing of her family remain our priority at this time. Her family are at the hospital and we are doing everything possible to support them," said team principal John Booth.

De Villota was conducting her first test of the upgraded MR01. According to the team, she was on her installation run and crashed into the team's support track. 

The team is thankful to the emergency crew at Duxford Airfield where it was testing. They were able to get to de Villota quickly, stabilized her condition and got her to the hospital quickly.