De Villota released from La Paz hospital

Maria de Villota has been released from the La Paz Hospital in Madrid this week. She was recovering from several facial operations that she underwent in the Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The test driver of Marussia F1 lost her right eye in a crash at the Duxford Airfield. Fortunately, she didn’t suffer from any neurological damage.

The accident happened after de Villota 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 that 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.

Marussia F1 has complete a detailed investigation of the crash and came to the conclusion that car related problems were not the cause of de Villota’s accident. Maria will continue her recovery at home with her friends and family aside her.

“The patient’s general conditions are good, which allowed us to release her yesterday,” read a statement from staff at the La Paz hospital. “In these six days, she has been treated by specialists of the plastic and neurological surgery services, and the ophthalmology department, who will continue to follow her, as she will need to undergo periodical checks and treatments.

“As communicated previously, the patient has lost her right eye, as a consequence of the serious trauma suffered, and she will be closely followed by the ophthalmology service. The specialists of the plastic surgery service will be responsible for following the serious injuries to her face and correcting the effects of those.”