Whilst there is a long way to go for Maria de Villota, the Marussia team and her doctors have hailed her current recovery ‘remarkable’ following a very serious accident a week ago.
The Spaniard is now able to communicate with her family and the doctors at Cambridge’s Addenbrooke’s Hospital, just eight days after she suffered serious head and facial injuries which resulted in the loss of her right eye.
In a brief update, the team confirmed the 32-year-old is showing positive signs of improvement and has been moved out of the Neurological Critical Care Unit (NCCU).
“It is now eight days since Maria De Villota’s accident at Duxford Airfield in her debut test for the Team,” read the statement. “Despite severe injuries, Maria’s recovery during that time has been remarkable.”
It continued: “Following two successful surgical procedures in the days following the accident, last Saturday the medical team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital began to gradually reduce the level of Maria’s sedation. By Sunday morning, Maria was awake and able to speak to her family, which provided a very important – albeit early – indication that there were positive signs for Maria’s recovery.
“Since that time, Maria has been making small but significant steps. She was moved out of the Neurological Critical Care Unit on Monday and is no longer receiving sedation. Her family remain by her side and she is communicating freely with them and the medical team. Medical assessments are ongoing to monitor Maria’s improving condition.
“We have provided this update with the consent and support of the De Villota family who, whilst keen to ensure Maria’s care remains the priority, are understanding and appreciative of the concern for her wellbeing.”
