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Maria de Villota death linked to testing crash injuries
Maria de Villota died as a consequence of injuries she sustained during a Formula One testing crash last year, her family has confirmed.
De Villota was found dead in a Seville hotel room on Friday by emergency services. In July 2012 she suffered serious head injuries and lost an eye when she crashed into the back of a support truck during a straight-line test in a Marussia F1 car at Duxford Aerodrome.
A statement from her family said a forensic doctor had confirmed her death was "a consequence of the neurological injuries that she suffered in July of 2012".
Although the accident ended her racing career, de Villota was working for charities and involved in FIA projects until her death. The F1 paddock was shocked by the news on Friday and drivers will pay tribute to her life with a minute's silence ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.