F1: Marussia Confirms De Villota In ‘Critical But Stable’ Condition

Formula 1

F1: Marussia Confirms De Villota In ‘Critical But Stable’ Condition

Maria de Villota has lost her right eye as a result of Tuesday’s testing accident in the UK...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted July 04, 2012 Balen (BEL)

Maria de Villota was injured in a freak accident at Duxford Airfield in early July. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Marussia says that Maria de Villota is in a “critical but stable” condition after undergoing surgery on Wednesday.

Team principal John Booth confirmed the sad news that she has lost her right eye as a result of Tuesday’s testing accident in the UK.

“Subsequent to yesterday’s official statements from the Marussia F1 Team, the surgical team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge embarked on a lengthy procedure to address the serious head and facial injuries sustained by Maria in the accident,” said a team statement. “The operation began yesterday afternoon, and she was in theatre until this morning. Maria remains in a critical but stable condition.”

Meanwhile, Booth said: “Maria emerged from theatre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital this morning after a lengthy operation to address the serious head and facial injuries she received in the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday.

“We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving, and her family would like to thank the Neurological and Plastics surgical teams. However, it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye.

“Maria’s care and the well-being of her family remain our priority at this time. Her family are at the hospital and we are doing everything possible to support them.

“We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding with regard to updates on Maria’s condition. We will provide further information when it is appropriate to do so and with consideration for her family.

“In the meantime, we would all like to take this opportunity to praise the emergency services at Duxford Airfield, who were on standby yesterday, as is usual procedure for a Formula One test.

“With regard to the accident, we have embarked on a very comprehensive analysis of what happened, and this work continues for the moment.

“Finally, we have been overwhelmed by messages of support for Maria, her family and the team, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for those.”

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.