From GMM

Marussia test driver Maria de Villota is reportedly fighting for her life after crashing on Tuesday morning.

The female driver was straight-line aerodynamic testing the single seater raced in formula one by Timo Glock and Charles Pic at the Duxford (UK) airfield.

A statement issued by the team said the incident occurred at the end of 32-year-old de Villota's first installation run, involving "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," the statement added.

Citing an ambulance spokesman, the BBC reported de Villota, the daughter of former F1 driver Emilio de Villota, has sustained "life threatening injuries".

A reporter said the car "suddenly accelerated" into the back of the truck.

"From where I was standing it looked like the helmet took the brunt of the impact," said BBC Cambridgeshire presenter Chris Mann.

A police spokesman said it appears "the driver has suffered a serious injury".

Maria de Villota at Valencia. (Photo: Marussia F1 Team)

UPDATE:

Maria de Villota suffered "severe" head and face injuries in her Marussia testing crash on Tuesday

Chris Mann from BBC said Maria de Villota was apparently unconscious for 10 or 15 minutes, and photos show the truck loading board at the Marussia cockpit, at visor-level.

Sky Sports F1 was on site with a small filming crew. "We were all asked to leave about 20 minutes after the accident had happened -- she was still in the car," said assistant producer Helen Brown.

Emergency medical charity Magpas said they treated de Villota for "severe facial and head injuries" before she was transported to hospital.

The statement said de Villota was given pain relief and was put into an ambulance in a stable condition, according to CNN.