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F1 Marussia driver Maria de Villota in Duxford crash F1 Marussia driver Maria de Villota in Duxford crash
(40 minutes later)
A Formula 1 driver has suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash during testing in Cambridgeshire. A Formula 1 test driver has suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash during testing in Cambridgeshire.
Maria de Villota was hurt while driving an MR-01 race car for the first time for the Oxfordshire-based Marussia team at Duxford airfield.Maria de Villota was hurt while driving an MR-01 race car for the first time for the Oxfordshire-based Marussia team at Duxford airfield.
The car hit a Marussia support truck which had been used to transport it to the track.The car hit a Marussia support truck which had been used to transport it to the track.
The East of England Ambulance Service said the Spaniard, 32, had been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.The East of England Ambulance Service said the Spaniard, 32, had been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
Emergency medical charity Magpas, which helped to treat Villota at the scene, said she had suffered "facial and head injuries" and was in a stable condition on her arrival at hospital.Emergency medical charity Magpas, which helped to treat Villota at the scene, said she had suffered "facial and head injuries" and was in a stable condition on her arrival at hospital.
BBC Cambridgeshire presenter Chris Mann, who witnessed the crash, said the car had completed a circuit when it "suddenly accelerated" into the back of the lorry. BBC Cambridgeshire presenter Chris Mann, who witnessed the crash, said the car was slowing down when it "suddenly accelerated" into the back of the lorry.
"From where I was standing it looked like the helmet took the brunt of the impact," he said. "The top of her car and her helmet seemed to take the brunt of it," he added.
"Strangely, the car suddenly accelerated into the lorry and the car went careering into the side of the loading board." "She didn't move for about 15 minutes.
He added: "There was a terrible moment when everyone was just very shocked by the impact and the suddenness of what had happened." "It was an absolutely awful moment. I was surrounded by people that knew her very well, including family, friends, engineers, and her manager."
He said de Villota had been driving at up to 200mph during the testing, but the car was travelling considerably slower at the time of the crash.He said de Villota had been driving at up to 200mph during the testing, but the car was travelling considerably slower at the time of the crash.
First runFirst run
A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said they were notified by the ambulance service "of a slow-speed crash involving a racing car and a lorry".A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said they were notified by the ambulance service "of a slow-speed crash involving a racing car and a lorry".
He added: "It looks like the driver has suffered a serious injury and we will be notifying the Health and Safety Executive as it happened on private land."He added: "It looks like the driver has suffered a serious injury and we will be notifying the Health and Safety Executive as it happened on private land."
East of England Ambulance Service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: "A woman has sustained life-threatening injuries and following treatment at the scene by paramedics, she has been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital for further care."East of England Ambulance Service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: "A woman has sustained life-threatening injuries and following treatment at the scene by paramedics, she has been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital for further care."
The crash happened at the start of two days of Formula 1 testing at the site.The crash happened at the start of two days of Formula 1 testing at the site.
Minutes before, Marussia driver Timo Glock said on Twitter: "Great to see @mariovillota in the car with the new update. Make it quick."Minutes before, Marussia driver Timo Glock said on Twitter: "Great to see @mariovillota in the car with the new update. Make it quick."
In a statement, Marussia said: "At approximately 09.15hrs BST, the Marussia F1 Team's test driver Maria De Villota had an accident in the team's MR-01 race car at Duxford Airfield, where she was testing the car for the first time.In a statement, Marussia said: "At approximately 09.15hrs BST, the Marussia F1 Team's test driver Maria De Villota had an accident in the team's MR-01 race car at Duxford Airfield, where she was testing the car for the first time.
"The accident happened at the end of her first installation run and involved an impact with the team's support truck."The accident happened at the end of her first installation run and involved an impact with the team's support truck.
"Maria has been transferred to hospital. Once her medical condition has been assessed a further statement will be issued.""Maria has been transferred to hospital. Once her medical condition has been assessed a further statement will be issued."
Former F1 champions are among the hundreds of people wishing Villota well on Twitter.Former F1 champions are among the hundreds of people wishing Villota well on Twitter.
Fernando Alonso said: "I just got home and found out Maria's accident, we called the family and hopefully we will know more soon! All my energy with you!"Fernando Alonso said: "I just got home and found out Maria's accident, we called the family and hopefully we will know more soon! All my energy with you!"
Jenson Button said: "Terrible accident for Maria de Villota, Marussia F1 team test driver.Jenson Button said: "Terrible accident for Maria de Villota, Marussia F1 team test driver.
"My thoughts are with Maria and her family at this very difficult time.""My thoughts are with Maria and her family at this very difficult time."
Marussia entered the sport under the name Virgin in 2010, backed by businessman Richard Branson.Marussia entered the sport under the name Virgin in 2010, backed by businessman Richard Branson.
Russian car company Marussia acquired a controlling stake in the team toward the end of 2011.Russian car company Marussia acquired a controlling stake in the team toward the end of 2011.
In 2012, the team rebranded as Marussia, and drafted in Charles Pic to race alongside Timo Glock.In 2012, the team rebranded as Marussia, and drafted in Charles Pic to race alongside Timo Glock.
The team has not scored any points so far this season.The team has not scored any points so far this season.
Earlier, Marussia said on Twitter: "@mariavillota had her final seat-fitting & pedal test at our Banbury HQ & then headed north to the Imperial War Museum, ready to do battle."Earlier, Marussia said on Twitter: "@mariavillota had her final seat-fitting & pedal test at our Banbury HQ & then headed north to the Imperial War Museum, ready to do battle."
On Friday, it tweeted that Maria "had been waiting patiently all year" for the Duxford test day.On Friday, it tweeted that Maria "had been waiting patiently all year" for the Duxford test day.
When Villota was unveiled as a test driver for Marussia in March, the 32-year-old Spaniard said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with a Formula 1 team and gain important experience to help me progress my career, including the chance to drive the new car later in the year at the Abu Dhabi test."When Villota was unveiled as a test driver for Marussia in March, the 32-year-old Spaniard said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with a Formula 1 team and gain important experience to help me progress my career, including the chance to drive the new car later in the year at the Abu Dhabi test."
She added that the move "can only help my future ambition to step up to F1 racing".She added that the move "can only help my future ambition to step up to F1 racing".
On Monday she wrote on Twitter: "In Banbury, getting ready for tomorrow test. Can't wait."On Monday she wrote on Twitter: "In Banbury, getting ready for tomorrow test. Can't wait."