Maria De Villota passes away aged just 33

tragic and horrendous news emerging from formula 1 this morning that the former marussia test driver Maria De Villota has passed away in spain ages just 33

She was in Sevilla about to launch her autobiography and was found dead in her hotel room

maria was on the brink of making it in f1 before she had a horrendous accident whilst test driving for marussia in july 2012 in which she lost her eye. she had then seemingly rebuilt her life and wanted to carry on being a role model for aspiring young female drivers

Shame that a once promising career has ended this way..

at the moment Spanish police are saying it's natural causes, probably a heart attack

They are saying that Maria died in her sleep as a consequence of the neurological injuries that she suffered in the crash whilst testing a Marussia last year.

The F1 Grand Prix Drivers' Association have announced that a minute's silence will be held before Sunday's drivers' parade ahead of the Japanese GP and the post-race podium ceremony will be dedicated to Maria.