No action will be taken against Manor Grand Prix Racing, which at the time operated the Marussia F1 Team, following a test crash in 2012 which involved Maria de Villota.
The Spaniard was taking part in a straight-line test at Cambridgeshire’s Duxford Airfield as part of her test role with the team.
However upon returning to the temporary pits, the car accelerated violently toward the rear of a transporter which had its loading deck lowered. De Villota’s helmet struck the edge of the deck at between 30 and 40mph.
De Villota struck a transporter truck during testing in 2012
Following multiple operations, which resulted in the loss of her eye, she was cleared to drive again. However she died just a year after the crash “as a consequence of the neurological injuries she suffered”.
The incident has been under investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for three years, with the HSE outcome not finding the team at fault.
Marussia’s own investigation found no fault with the car, but it could have faced a penalty or even criminal action for creating an unsafe working environment.
However the HSE has cleared the team of wrongdoing and informed all involved parties.
“The investigation is now complete and no enforcement action is being taken,” confirmed a HSE spokesperson.
“Both the company [Manor Grand Prix Racing] and the DP’s [deceased person’s] family have been informed.”
Asked if the driver was found to be at fault, they added: “It is not appropriate to disclose. However, as with all accidents there are a number of underlying causes.”
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