F1: Car Not At Fault In De Villota Crash, Says Team

Formula 1

F1: Car Not At Fault In De Villota Crash, Says Team

Sudden acceleration of Marussia car probed...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted July 16, 2012 Balen (BEL)

Marussia-Cosworth test-driver Maria de Villota of Spain smiles and waves to photographers ahead of Formula One's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15, 2012. (Photo: Getty Images)

Marussia says that Maria de Villota’s accident at Duxford Airfield two weeks ago was not caused by any issues with the car.

However, the team has stopped short of saying that her sudden acceleration was due to driver error as the Spaniard attempted to bring the car to a halt after her first straight line run.

The team conducted its own analysis, which was backed up what it described as an “external forensic investigation.”

Marussia team principal John Booth said: “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 well being. In that regard, we continue to support Maria and the De Villota family in any way we can.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.