Maria de Villota

[Porceliamone]

Tacitus - Wow. Serious lack of risk assessment there, agreed.

Looks like she was lucky to have avoided decapitation. *shudder*

 

[Mephistopheles]

Anyway she is concious now, I would like to know how someone does not see a bloody great big lorry there must be a reasonable explanation..

 

[cider_and_toast]

Looks like a strange accident but I expect it will make teams tighten their safety standards at straight line tests.

 

[Speshal]

Bums - I hope she makes a speedy recovery.

 

[Jos the Boss]

Autosport are reporting the car may have gone into anti stall and shot forward at 50% throttle.

 

[sportsman]

That doesn't make sense.F1 car anti stall systems disengage the drive if actuated.

http://scarbsf1.com/transmissions.html Equally the clutch can be actuate by the anti stall software, this is designed to keep the engine running in a spin, by detecting the wheel speed has dropped to a point where the revs will drop to stall the engine, the system needs to be reset by the driver to re-engage the car in gear

 

[Galahad]

That does look nasty. Fingers crossed for her.

 

[Bill Boddy]

Why was it possible for her to collide with a truck whilst driving an F1 car?

 

[Incubus]

Latest updates bring the good news her life isn't in immediate danger:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100890

 

[FB]

Is it possible she hit the pit lane speed limiter button by accident? I presume that accelerates the car to a predetermined speed even if it's traveling more slowly?

 

[Brogan]

Unfortunately she has lost her right eye so that's her racing career over before it begins.

 

[Incubus]

Yes, I've just read the article on Autosport: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100907 and she's still on the critical list.

 

[sushifiesta]

Terrible news, Maria has lost her right eye. Thankfully it sounds like her life isn't at risk at least, but I can't imagine what she and her family are going through.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/100907

This must be the worst injury to an F1 driver, whilst driving an F1 car, for a long, long time. I wonder what the consequences will be, particularly for Marussia.

 

[cider_and_toast]

That is really sad news.

I wonder if this could see an end to straight line tests at air fields where there aren't the same sort of facilities as those at official circuit tests. I guess we will have to wait and see the full report of the circumstances when it comes.

 

[Jos the Boss]

Has she actually lost her right eye fully or just sight in it?

 

[FB]

6 and two threes isn't it Jos the Boss?

 

[Josh]

That's really sad. I hope she pulls through okay.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I'm starting to think front roll hoops aren't such a stupid idea after all...

 

[GeoffP]

I don't think anything can adequately protect from damage from hitting a tailgate left at the wrong height, other than ensuring the lorry isn't there in the first place.

It's a terrible accident, but I really hope the health & safety brigade don't get carried away!

 

[Jen]

What does one say that has any meaning?

Empathy and sympathy to Maria and her family - and hope for a 'good' outcome