Former Marussia Formula 1 reserve driver, Spaniard Maria de Villota has been cleared to get behind the wheel for the first time since losing her right eye in the horrific crash that happened July of last year.
De Villota suffered serious head and facial injuries in an accident last year when performing aerodynamic tests at Duxford airfield behind the wheel of the Cosworth-powered Marussia F1 car.
When she returned to the pits after an installation lap, the F1 car suddenly accelerated towards a parked transporter. Her carbon-fibre helmet opening impacted directly with the raised tailgate. Maria spent several months on a recovery programme.
"Last week they gave me permission to return to driving," said Maria de Villota.
“The distances I can already calculate quite well and it feels like nothing ever happened."
The 33-year-old said she still had headaches and "felt weak", but was "getting on well".
"To start with it was difficult just to do day-to-day things. Catching keys in flight or getting a glass of water was a problem, but now things are much better," she added.
"At the end of the day, my natural habitat is in a car and I am happiest in that environment. I missed it. When your life is saved, no-one owes you anything. I don't hold any rancour towards the sport. The only thing I want is for the safety in races and tests to be improved. I will collaborate with them on what is currently lacking. Moreover, I feel very grateful to all the teams and drivers who have supported me after the accident,” Maria de Villota concluded.
De Villota suffered serious head and facial injuries in an accident last year when performing aerodynamic tests at Duxford airfield behind the wheel of the Cosworth-powered Marussia F1 car.
When she returned to the pits after an installation lap, the F1 car suddenly accelerated towards a parked transporter. Her carbon-fibre helmet opening impacted directly with the raised tailgate. Maria spent several months on a recovery programme.
"Last week they gave me permission to return to driving," said Maria de Villota.
“The distances I can already calculate quite well and it feels like nothing ever happened."
The 33-year-old said she still had headaches and "felt weak", but was "getting on well".
"To start with it was difficult just to do day-to-day things. Catching keys in flight or getting a glass of water was a problem, but now things are much better," she added.
"At the end of the day, my natural habitat is in a car and I am happiest in that environment. I missed it. When your life is saved, no-one owes you anything. I don't hold any rancour towards the sport. The only thing I want is for the safety in races and tests to be improved. I will collaborate with them on what is currently lacking. Moreover, I feel very grateful to all the teams and drivers who have supported me after the accident,” Maria de Villota concluded.