Marussia Test Driver Maria de Villota in Serious Crash

[Hun200kmh]

Full Press Release:

PRESS RELEASE

A MEDICAL UPDATE ON MARIA DE VILLOTA

Marussia Technical Centre, Banbury, UK
04 July 2012, 16.00hrs
Further to the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday involving the Marussia F1 Team Test Driver, Maria De Villota, the Team can now provide a further update on Maria’s medical condition.

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. The operation began yesterday afternoon and she was in theatre until this morning. Maria remains in a critical but stable condition.

John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 Team, with the consent and support of Maria’s family, would like to give the following update, which provides as much detail as is possible at this time:

“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 wellbeing 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 stand-by 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.”

Losing one eye will probably mean the end of her racing career, and that is very sad because she clearly loved what she did. However, it isn't a major handicap for an everyday life and if that's all the permanent consequence of her crash it is very good, considering all that could've resulted from it.

 

[Pupik]

That sucks. How the hell can you lose an eye driving an F1 car? Has to be the first eye loss in F1 ever surely.

Helmut Marko lost his eye while running 4th in the 1972 French GP. That was the end of his professional driving career.

Losing one eye will probably mean the end of her racing career, and that is very sad because she clearly loved what she did. However, it isn't a major handicap for an everyday life and if that's all the permanent consequence of her crash it is very good, considering all that could've resulted from it.

Here, here.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Maybe I'm silly, but does losing one eye puts a racing driver out of equation of being competent for racing in a team ? I tried to cover one of my eye while driving today on the street, then one more time while playing GT5, no issue as of yet ...
I feel bad for her, but at the very least if she wanted to continue her career, give her a chance to prove she still can drive competitively. I don't know if having one eye is against the rule, anyone knows more about this ?

 

[TayTheDay]

That's some hard news to hear. We just have to remember that it could have been a lot worse and hope that otherwise, she makes a full recovery.

 

[PeterJB]

Maybe I'm silly, but does losing one eye puts a racing driver out of equation of being competent for racing in a team ? I tried to cover one of my eye while driving today on the street, then one more time while playing GT5, no issue as of yet ...
I feel bad for her, but at the very least if she wanted to continue her career, give her a chance to prove she still can drive competitively. I don't know if having one eye is against the rule, anyone knows more about this ?

Lack of depth perception would make her a hazard to herself and other drivers.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Lack of depth perception would make her a hazard to herself and other drivers.

Is this enough as a reason to ban her from racing ? As far as I know, even pilots with one eye can still fly and allowed by FAA to have license.

www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/pilot_vision.pdf

This is a good reading, a lot informational facts about eye vision, highly recommended.

FAA requires the pilot to have at least 6 months time to get used to the field of vision of one eye, passing medical check, and eye sight check - a 20/20 view just like normal eyes. I also read somewhere on the net that a one eyed pilot or even color blind one can still have at least commercial pilot license as long FAA requirements were passed and they have "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" or "SODA".

A pilot in my opinion have a lot more responsibility and a tremendous work loads requiring far more visual acuity than a racing driver, correct me if i'm wrong. Depth perception issue of one eye would have instantly banned them from having a license if the same logic applies in racing applied in flight as well.

 

[Blitz24]

Is this enough as a reason to ban her from racing ? As far as I know, even pilots with one eye can still fly and allowed by FAA to have license.

www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/pilot_vision.pdf

This is a good reading, a lot informational facts about eye vision, highly recommended.

FAA requires the pilot to have at least 6 months time to get used to the field of vision of one eye, passing medical check, and eye sight check - a 20/20 view just like normal eyes. I also read somewhere on the net that a one eyed pilot or even color blind one can still have at least commercial pilot license as long FAA requirements were passed and they have "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" or "SODA".

A pilot in my opinion have a lot more responsibility and a tremendous work loads requiring far more visual acuity than a racing driver, correct me if i'm wrong. Depth perception issue of one eye would have instantly banned them from having a license if the same logic applies in racing applied in flight as well.

At this point the discussion of the continuation of her racing career is extremely ill-advised. Go with the assumption that she will indeed call it quits and be surprised if she is able to come back.

 

[Peasantslayer]

Is this enough as a reason to ban her from racing ? As far as I know, even pilots with one eye can still fly and allowed by FAA to have license.

www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/pilot_vision.pdf

This is a good reading, a lot informational facts about eye vision, highly recommended.

FAA requires the pilot to have at least 6 months time to get used to the field of vision of one eye, passing medical check, and eye sight check - a 20/20 view just like normal eyes. I also read somewhere on the net that a one eyed pilot or even color blind one can still have at least commercial pilot license as long FAA requirements were passed and they have "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" or "SODA".

A pilot in my opinion have a lot more responsibility and a tremendous work loads requiring far more visual acuity than a racing driver, correct me if i'm wrong. Depth perception issue of one eye would have instantly banned them from having a license if the same logic applies in racing applied in flight as well.

She will be able to drive quickly but she may be a few tenths per lap slower with just one eye, let's just hope that's her only serious injury.

 

[gorsad]

That's sad to hear, but I'm grateful that it wasn't any worst.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

I just did some digging, I'm sure I've heard one eyed race driver competing in Le Mans before, so here it is :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Drayson,_Baron_Drayson

"Drayson was born blind in one eye which, under FIA rules, prevented him from acquiring an international racing licence for participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours. In light of his performance during the 2008 ALMS season and FIA rule changes, he was granted an international licence to allow him the chance of competing in the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drayson finished 37th overall and 12th in class at the race. He also competed at the 2010 event but failed to finish.
Drayson has currently competed in two seasons of the ALMS with a best finish of a win at the 2010 Road America race in a LMP Lola B09/60. For 2011, Drayson made the switch to the EV Cup, a new championship for electric cars. He will drive a Westfield iRACER." Quoted from Wikipedia.

Oh and another famed Japanese pilot from WWII era, Saburo Sakai also had one eye vision due to bullet wound, but he was still good as before, an Ace, a legend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabur%C5%8D_Sakai

Let's hope when she recovered and still wanting to race in F1, she could do so

 

[ExigeEvan]

I wish her the best of recovery and hope she can pursue her talent further in future.

Well it was either left in an unsafe position or it malfunctioned. Take your pick. Those are the facts.

Or someone could have been operating it at the time.

That sucks. How the hell can you lose an eye driving an F1 car? Has to be the first eye loss in F1 ever surely.

Massa would have lost his if not for the luck of a few mm's.

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

Lets hope that her other eye isn't badly damaged too, looking at the photo of the car the impact could've been right across the whole visor.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Let's not start bickering about rules and regulations for one-eyed racers. Maria de Villota's surgery, performed by both neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons, lasted from yesterday afternoon to today's morning. About 11 hours or so I read.

So, there's a lot unsaid in that statement and we don't know what really happened to her, both outside and inside her head. One thing we know, from the statement. She is stabilized but still in critical condition. This means the outcome of all this is uncertain. I only hope, and pray, that all other injuries she suffered are of the healing type (ie non permament). #animomaria.

 

[Desmo46]

At least she's still alive. Still, very sad news.

 

[karl53]

Thats such a shame for her, still, at least shes still here.
Also, if not F1, Im sure she could get a touring car or GT drive.

 

[Ardius]

Being born blind in one eye and losing an eye (or becoming blind later in life) are completely different.

Someone who is born blind never knows the difference, they already learn to compensate because they know no different. It usually doesn't handicap them at all and their depth perception is fine.

Having to cope with the loss of an eye and re-adapt takes time, but is not impossible. Driving an F1 car again is pretty unlikely though. Hopefully for her she can race something, I feel Alex Zanardi proves that nothing is impossible in this respect.

 

[Mike Rotch]

That's very sad to hear. I am glad she is ok overall, but that is a terrible outcome for what was supposed to be a harmless test.

 

[Hun200kmh]

That's very sad to hear. I am glad she is ok overall, but that is a terrible outcome for what was supposed to be a harmless test.

She is not ok overall sadly. The way they officially put it is that she is in stable, but critical, condition. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

 

[BlacqueJacques]

I know it was an accident, but there is a reason the lorrys are usually parked behind armco/guardrails/concrete walls.

I hope she recovers from her injuries

 

[F1 fan]

Maria's condition has improved to "serious but stable".

link

The article also mentions that the doctors are happy with the way she has been responding to treatment. She's not out of the woods yet, but things are looking good.

 

[Ddrizle]

Maria de Villota no longer in an artificial coma

Marussia boss John Booth said on Sunday that the team's test driver is no longer in an artificial coma and has therefore been able to speak with her family, including her father and former F1 driver Emilio de Villota.
"Her level of sedation has been reduced markedly," he told the Spanish broadcaster Antena3.

De Villota's sister Isabel is quoted by the Spanish media as saying the 32-year-old has "made good progress in the last hours" and has "left the ICU unit".

But she warned: "The coming days will be crucial for her recovery and to determine the extent of the consequences (of her injuries)." Credit: Worldcarfans.com

 

[lbsf1]

Maria de Villota no longer in an artificial coma

Marussia boss John Booth said on Sunday that the team's test driver is no longer in an artificial coma and has therefore been able to speak with her family, including her father and former F1 driver Emilio de Villota.
"Her level of sedation has been reduced markedly," he told the Spanish broadcaster Antena3.

De Villota's sister Isabel is quoted by the Spanish media as saying the 32-year-old has "made good progress in the last hours" and has "left the ICU unit".

But she warned: "The coming days will be crucial for her recovery and to determine the extent of the consequences (of her injuries)." Credit: Worldcarfans.com

If she is speaking then it seems hopeful that she isn't suffering severe brain damage.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If she is speaking then it seems hopeful that she isn't suffering severe brain damage.

She was never in any real danger of brain damage once she got to hospital. She had a skull fracture, but the threat came from a bleed into the cranial cavity - the part of the skull that holds the brain. The paramedics were able to stabilise her at Duxford and get her to the hospital, where the threat of brain damage ended because she was in a controlled environment.

 

[lbsf1]

She was never in any real danger of brain damage once she got to hospital. She had a skull fracture, but the threat came from a bleed into the cranial cavity - the part of the skull that holds the brain. The paramedics were able to stabilise her at Duxford and get her to the hospital, where the threat of brain damage ended because she was in a controlled environment.

?????

Richard Hammond was taken to hostpital very quickly after his accident yet suffered (slight) brain damage. If the brain was damaged in the crash (which with the way the accident happened seemed like a huge possibility) then surely she could be stabilsed at the scene yet still have lasting damage from the crash which was being monitored in hospital.

What you have said seems to make no sense, what it seemed you said is that no matter the injury in the crash because she was stabilised in hospital means that the injury is no longer there. ????

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Hammond's crash was entirely different matter. For example, he was travelling roughly ten times faster than de Villota.

My sister is a diagnostic radiographer. She has told me that it is very easy to establish whether or not a patient has brain damage - particularly if they are conscious, as de Villota was - and act accordingly. By the time de Villota arrived at Addenbrooke's Hosptial, she had been stabilisied and the doctors had focused on controlling the bleeding and entering the cranial cavity. Given the speed at which they did this, it is clear they were not concerned about any brain damage. If they were not concerned about it, it means that they were confident it would not be an issue.

 

[mattythedog]

Car not a factor in crash?
If that's true, then it's very interesting. I doubt she would've deliberately driven into a lorry...

 

[Earth]

Car not a factor in crash?
If that's true, then it's very interesting. I doubt she would've deliberately driven into a lorry...

Looks like they're just trying to protect themselves from being sued. I dont trust anything they say.

 

[sems4arsenal]

Looks like they're just trying to protect themselves from being sued. I dont trust anything they say.

or trying to comfort their own drivers and pit stop crew that no other car can launch itself like that again . /2 cents

 

[Ardius]

Well they're not exactly going to come out and say "yeah the car is at fault, its completely unsafe, thats why we were still racing at Silverstone" are they?

Of course they are covering their own arses, but they equally can't lie about it as:

Marussia immediately launched an in-house investigation into the accident and have now announced that the findings showed that there were "no car-related issues" at play, with a further forensic investigation since carried out by an external firm. Both sets of findings are being passed on to the Health and Safety Executive

Nothing there to say that they weren't at fault though, just it wasn't a problem with the car. They can still be sued if its found they were negligent with the truck loading lift.

They need to be ensuring its not a problem with the car because they are still racing it!

 

[F1 fan]

Maria has been released from hospital.