RIP Maria de Villota

f1-gast · Post by **f1-gast** » 11 Oct 2013, 06:43

Well i was reading the Wiki page and it said she died today...

María de Villota Comba (13 January 1980 - 11 October 2013) was a Spanish racing driver. She is the daughter of former Formula One driver Emilio de Villota, and sister of Emilio de Villota, Jr., who like his sister competed in Formula Palmer Audi.

Can't find any more info ??

Former Formula One test driver Maria de Villota has been found dead at the age of just 33 according to reports in Spain.

Radio Cadena Ser Radio report that de Villota died in a Sevilla hotel room despite attempts from emergency services to resuscitate her.
There are no further details at this time, but Radio Cadena do state that emergency services have confirmed the news to them. Eurosport Spain also reports that the family has confirmed the news.
De Villota came to international prominence in July 2012 when she lost an eye after being involved in a F1 test crash for the Marussia team.
She was the first female driver to test for a contemporary Formula 1 team since Katherine Legge in 2005.
The Spaniard also raced in several series including Spanish F3, the Daytona 24 Hours, and Superleague Formula Championship.

http://asia.eurosport.com/formula-1/for ... tory.shtml

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 11 Oct 2013, 06:46

She has died today morning in Sevilla, Spain... No more info for now.. rest in peace, brave racer and wonderful woman.

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 11 Oct 2013, 06:50

RIP

f1-gast · Post by **f1-gast** » 11 Oct 2013, 06:51

Received an update by eurosport that she was found dead in a hotel

Post by **Londoner** » 11 Oct 2013, 06:54

Horrible horrible news. It's literally just broken on Twitter in the last 10 minutes through the likes of Will Buxton and ESPN, and most of the F1 paddock are now being informed. She was apparently discovered dead in her hotel room, according to latest reports.

RIP Maria (1980-2013). :cry:

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:03

RIP

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:05

Awful news. I find it hard to believe its not related to her accident, perhaps she couldnt cope and had been unhappy for a while. Either way its put me off F1 for a while.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:06

Shocking.

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:14

Absolutely dreadful news to hear. R.I.P :cry:

f1-gast · Post by **f1-gast** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:17

I think it is an natural dead.
If im correct , monday she would present her biography , why would you do suicide or an overdose if you will present this ?

Post by **Nuppiz** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:17

This is terrible. She seemed like recovering well from her accident, and suddenly this happens. I can only assume it was caused by some sort of a delayed complication caused by the accident. :cry:

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:25

I tell you what, I would be very disappointed in Marussia, if they don't recognise this in some way on Sunday.
They really should do as Ferrari did after 9/11.

As a tribute to Maria, they should have no sponsor logos and a black nose on the MR02, like Ferrari did with the F2001.

Post by **kevinbotz** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:35

Terrible, terrible news. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Eifelland · Post by **Eifelland** » 11 Oct 2013, 07:41

Jocke1 wrote:I tell you what, I would be very disappointed in Marussia, if they don't recognise this in some way on Sunday.
They really should do as Ferrari did after 9/11.

As a tribute to Maria, they should have no sponsor logos and a black nose on the MR02, like Ferrari did with the F2001.

I'm not sure Marussia can afford to run without any sponsors for a weekend, whatever the cause. I agree though, they should do something.

EDIT; The media here in Spain are reporting she'd only got married 3 months ago, started a new job at the FIA, where she seemed to be held in quite high esteem and was on the verge of releasing her autobiography. They also reporting she was found in bed, which sounds very much like natural (but no less tragic) causes.

AustralianStig · Post by **AustralianStig** » 11 Oct 2013, 08:18

Felt sick when I read the news, which is pretty remarkable seeing as I couldn't even remember what she looked like.

But the thing I remembered most was the way she fought back after losing an eye: that was inspiring.

RIP.

LellaLombardi · Post by **LellaLombardi** » 11 Oct 2013, 08:28

It breaks my heart to hear this news and to have to change the signature that was inspired by how she came back from her accident. Rest in Peace Maria.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 11 Oct 2013, 08:57

I was certainly not expecting this kind of news when I woke up... RIP Maria, you will be missed.

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 11 Oct 2013, 08:58

RIP.

Maria de Villota. The fallen female hero-in-the-making of Formula 1.

Meatwad · Post by **Meatwad** » 11 Oct 2013, 09:08

Rest in peace, María. :cry:

It's really sad how one moment can change everything.

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 11 Oct 2013, 09:51

Dreadful news. RIP. A brave lady.
Condolences to her family & friends.

wsrgo · Post by **wsrgo** » 11 Oct 2013, 09:59

Jocke1 wrote:I tell you what, I would be very disappointed in Marussia, if they don't recognise this in some way on Sunday.
They really should do as Ferrari did after 9/11.

As a tribute to Maria, they should have no sponsor logos and a black nose on the MR02, like Ferrari did with the F2001.

I'm not sure if QNET and others would take too kindly to that.

Still, rest in peace, Maria. My deepest condolences to her family.

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 11 Oct 2013, 10:02

It's moments like these where you feel so empty. Maria might have not been WDC material but she is a perfect example of coming back after a severe life threatening injury. Rest in peace Maria :cry:

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 11 Oct 2013, 10:04

So sad.

RIP.

Post by **Ataxia** » 11 Oct 2013, 10:06

Good lord, that's horrendous news. RIP, Maria.

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 11 Oct 2013, 10:46

This is awful awful news, RIP Maria, what a terrible story to start my day/weekend with.

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/11/breaking-maria-de-villota-found-dead-in-spanish-hotel/

However, does anyone else think the family's "year and a half we had with with her" statement means they knew SOMETHING was wrong, maybe an accident complication no one publicly mentioned? Or am I reading way too much into this?

johnnyCarwash · Post by **johnnyCarwash** » 11 Oct 2013, 11:01

Such unexpected news :cry:

R.I.P

AxelP800 · Post by **AxelP800** » 11 Oct 2013, 11:16

Shocked to hear this. RIP Maria de Villota :cry:

Good bye

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 11 Oct 2013, 11:39

RIP, I was so shocked when I saw this all over Twitter this morning.

Hopefully Marussia can get a decent result today, their first point would be an amazing tribute.

stupot94 · Post by **stupot94** » 11 Oct 2013, 11:41

RIP Maria! Life was beginning to get back on track after the accident then it is swiftly taken away.

Goodbye

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 11 Oct 2013, 11:46

I found out not long ago while driving into uni. It certainly was shocking and unexpected. RIP Maria. Most photos I have seen of her usually depict her with a smile on her face.

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 11 Oct 2013, 11:49

wsrgo wrote:
Jocke1 wrote:I tell you what, I would be very disappointed in Marussia, if they don't recognise this in some way on Sunday.
They really should do as Ferrari did after 9/11.

As a tribute to Maria, they should have no sponsor logos and a black nose on the MR02, like Ferrari did with the F2001.

I'm not sure if QNET and others would take too kindly to that.

Still, rest in peace, Maria. My deepest condolences to her family.

When John Walton died, Minardi ran their cars at the 2004 British Grand Prix without any sponsorship, just John Boy on the rear wings with love hearts in the place of the "O"s. That led to Wilux withdrawing their sponsorship IIRC.

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 11 Oct 2013, 12:01

Also on sidepods:

SgtPepper · Post by **SgtPepper** » 11 Oct 2013, 12:03

RIP Maria.

A stark reminded that racing will never be safe, and that those involved can never become complacent.

Post by **Londoner** » 11 Oct 2013, 12:05

good_Ralf wrote: When John Walton died, Minardi ran their cars at the 2004 British Grand Prix without any sponsorship, just John Boy on the rear wings with love hearts in the place of the "O"s. That led to Wilux withdrawing their sponsorship IIRC.

Wilux deserve to be vilified for their decision to pull their sponsorship. Complete empathy bypass by the higher-ups there. :evil:

JJMonty · Post by **JJMonty** » 11 Oct 2013, 12:24

R.I.P Maria

Conspiracy theorists are already about - some suggesting suicide, some suggesting it was actually a follow up from her injuries and that she only had limited time anyway

Eitherway, a tragic set of circumstances and an end to an influential life

On a side note, am I the only one who found Sky's coverage of handling the news disgusting? In particular with Simon Lazenby being as crude as ever..... Unless I've read the situation wrong, he informed Suzie Wolff of the news halfway through the interview, live and she knew nothing about it before hand!

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 11 Oct 2013, 12:36

JJMonty wrote:On a side note, am I the only one who found Sky's coverage of handling the news disgusting? In particular with Simon Lazenby being as crude as ever..... Unless I've read the situation wrong, he informed Suzie Wolff of the news halfway through the interview, live and she knew nothing about it before hand!

I hope this is not the case (I haven't seen said interview). And even if Susie knew, why drop it in half-way through an interview? Something like that ought to be the opener to an interview, surely?

Anyway, the BBC have people paying tribute to Maria.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 11 Oct 2013, 12:40

East Londoner wrote:Wilux deserve to be vilified for their decision to pull their sponsorship. Complete empathy bypass by the higher-ups there

Exactly, they should see the good-will instead. It's a sign of respect, after all.
Even if Marussia would race sponsor-less on Sunday, people will still know who the sponsors are. Because media will write about it afterwards, what a nice gesture they did. It's called good-will.

JJMonty wrote: In particular with Simon Lazenby being as crude as ever

Granted I have still to see this particular segment, but from my previous experiences watching Lazenby, I decided long ago that I think he is pompous, arrogant and totally full of himself. He must love mirrors.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 11 Oct 2013, 12:54

RIP

tzerof1 · Post by **tzerof1** » 11 Oct 2013, 13:25

RIP Maria De Villota. Was it not already enough that last year, you had lost an eye, ending the pursuit of your dreams of being a Formula 1 driver, that it is the way of the universe to see your life ended prematurely as well? Your recovery seemed to be going so well, and I must say you made the eyepatch look quite fashionable. Today, we have lost a great ambassador for women in motorsport, and her family certainly has my condolences. :cry:

Sunshine_Baby_[IT] · Post by **Sunshine_Baby_[IT]** » 11 Oct 2013, 13:29

It's not what I was expecting to read today... what a sad news.

R.I.P. Maria.