Good news at last for De Villota

Less than 10 days after the devastating accident at Duxford Airfield which cost Marussia test driver Maria De Villota her eye, she is now thankfully making 'remarkable progress'.

It's been a tough week and a half for anyone involved in Formula One, especially the Marussia team and the Spaniard's family and friends.

The crash happened shortly after she had completing an installation circuit of the Duxford Airfield.

For as yet unknown reasons her car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the team truck.

Unfortunately the tailgate had apparently been lowered at the time and early reports suggested that De Villota's helmet took the brunt of the impact at around 30-40mph.

She was unconscious for around 15 to 20 minutes, while she was treated by paramedics and the ambulance service announced that she had suffered life-threatening injuries.

Initial reports that announced that she was conscious and in a stable condition had given hope to well wishers, but on Wednesday last week the team announced that following a lengthy procedure that kept her in theatre from Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday morning, she had lost her right eye.

On Friday she went back into theatre for a further procedure on her facial and skull injuries, but since that operation the news is positive.

Following two successful surgical procedures in the days following the accident, last Saturday the medical team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital began to gradually reduce the level of Maria’s sedation. By Sunday morning, Maria was awake and able to speak to her family, which provided a very important - albeit early - indication that there were positive signs for Maria’s recovery. a statement on the teams official marussiaf1team.com website read.

Since that time, Maria has been making small but significant steps. She was moved out of the Neurological Critical Care Unit on Monday and is no longer receiving sedation. Her family remain by her side and she is communicating freely with them and the medical team. Medical assessments are ongoing to monitor Maria’s improving condition.

We have provided this update with the consent and support of the De Villota family who, whilst keen to ensure Maria’s care remains the priority, are understanding and appreciative of the concern for her wellbeing.

The devastating accident and the severity of the injuries Maria sustained has effected everyone the Formula One community.

Fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso dedicated his pole position for the British Grand Prix to Maria, whilst all of the F1 drivers wore her red star logo on their helmets in tribute to the 32-year-old.