Car-related problems ruled out in de Villota crash

The Marussia F1 team has announced that there were no car problems during Maria de Villota’s crash two weeks ago. The accident happened at the Dufxord Airfield and the team has now completed its own detailed investigation into the cause of the crash.

The incident occurred when Maria just finished a straight-line aerodynamic test for Marussia F1. She pulled up in front of Marussia’s mechanics and they approached to wheel the F1 car back for service. At this moment, the car accelerated forwards and crashed into the stationary vehicle parked nearby. The front of the car was destroyed and Maria’s helmet took the bulk of the impact. It was the first time that de Villota piloted the team’s 2012 car, and the fourth time that Maria was driving an F1 car in her career.

The official statement of Marussia F1 reads:“The Marussia F1 Team conducted an initial analysis immediately after the crash. This aimed to identify the causes and contributory factors behind the accident and also served to determine if there were any car-related implications for the impending British Grand Prix. Having carefully examined all the data and supplementary information available at that time, the Team were satisfied that there were no such car-related issues and cleared its chassis for race weekend participation.

Following its initial investigation, the Team proceeded to carry out further detailed analysis of the accident. An external forensic investigation was commissioned and carried out at Duxford Airfield (a FIA-approved and much used testing venue, compliant with the recommendations for a test of this nature) and with the team at the Marussia Technical Centre in Banbury. This external analysis has been carried out autonomously of the team’s own internal investigation.As would be normal procedure, the Team’s findings have been shared with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the independent.”

The Team Principal of Marussia, John Booth, says the team is pleased with the results of the investigation. “We are satisfied that the findings of our internal investigation exclude the car as a factor in the accident. We have shared and discussed our findings with the HSE for their consideration as part of their ongoing investigation. This has been a necessarily thorough process in order to understand the cause of the accident. We have now concluded our investigatory work and can again focus on the priority, which continues to be Maria’s wellbeing. In that regard, we continue to support Maria and the De Villota family in any way we can.”