Maria De Villota is in a “critial but stable condition”, the Marussia F1 team has confirmed following an operation at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge.
Her doctors have confirmed that the Spaniard has lost her right eye and suffered a fractured skull following an accident on Tuesday morning during testing at Duxford Aerodrome.
The team added that she underwent “a lengthy procedure to address the serious head and facial injuries” in an operation which began yesterday afternoon and ended on Wednesday morning.
Marussia team principal John Booth went in to further detail: “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.
“We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding with regard to updates on Maria’s condition. We will provide further information when it is appropriate to do so and with consideration for her family.
“In the meantime, we would all like to take this opportunity to praise the emergency services at Duxford Airfield, who were on stand-by yesterday, as is usual procedure for a Formula One test.”
Booth added that a thorough investigation into how the accident happened was underway.
“With regard to the accident, we have embarked on a very comprehensive analysis of what happened and this work continues for the moment.
“Finally, we have been overwhelmed by messages of support for Maria, her family and the Team and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for those.”
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