Maria De Villota Seriously Injured in testing crash

[Norwegian Blue]

BBC News - F1 Marussia driver Maria de Villota in Duxford crash

I'm surprised nobody has brought this up already.... it seems like her condition is improving thankfully.
I wonder what impact this could have on formula one... especially the discussion on Canopies etc.

[N4D13]

I believe that the forum hasn't been working over the last few days, so it's normal that no one said anything about this. Anyway, I'll stick to what Joe Saward said:

For the time being F1 should not be making any snap decisions. The sport should take a look at what happened and then decide whether that warrants any action.

[Bagwan]

Don't be too surprised that nobody has mentioned the incident , as I , and presumably everyone else , has been having trouble accessing the forum for the last few days .

Some reports I've read have said it may have been an issue with the anti-stall electronics revving the car without warning , so this knid of issue might have happened anywhere .
The discussion , I believe , will be more about the safety at private tests , rather than specifically about canopies .

I noticed a derisive comment about the team leaving the truck's lift-gate out from Joe Saward , but who could have known that a car suddenly sliding under it would be an issue with which they'd have to deal ?

I hope she's ok , and that she can soon get back in the car . This has the potential to set the girls with F1 ambition back a few decades in terms of public opinion .

[zako85]

BBC News - F1 Marussia driver Maria de Villota in Duxford crash

I'm surprised nobody has brought this up already.... it seems like her condition is improving thankfully.
I wonder what impact this could have on formula one... especially the discussion on Canopies etc.

I was watching some random news on CNN today when suddenly the scrolling news ticker below said that an F1 driver was seriously injured. I was surprised because I thought that Formula 1 tests are allowed only on specified days. I hope that she gets well. I pray for her. Let's hope that Formula 1 community learns important lessons from this crash and uses the knowledge to make the sport (including testing) safer for everyone involved.

[wedge]

The discussion , I believe , will be more about the safety at private tests , rather than specifically about canopies .

Correct. Hopefully we don't need a knee-jerk reaction.

I noticed a derisive comment about the team leaving the truck's lift-gate out from Joe Saward , but who could have known that a car suddenly sliding under it would be an issue with which they'd have to deal ?

The awnings were set up next to the support trucks and if anyone has experience or even noticed lazy delivery men that the tail lifts are used as a step. In that instance you're asking for some of trouble.

[Bagwan]

Correct. Hopefully we don't need a knee-jerk reaction.



The awnings were set up next to the support trucks and if anyone has experience or even noticed lazy delivery men that the tail lifts are used as a step. In that instance you're asking for some of trouble.

Perhaps the location of the trucks should be an issue , but , if it's the same as here in Canada , with the lift up , it wouldn't have been much better , as the trucks are equipped with structures meant to stop road cars going under , at about the same height as a half lift on the tail .

[SGWilko]

BBC News - F1 Marussia driver Maria de Villota in Duxford crash

I'm surprised nobody has brought this up already.... it seems like her condition is improving thankfully.
I wonder what impact this could have on formula one... especially the discussion on Canopies etc.

Would be easier to not leave a truck with the load hoist down and at cockpit height anywhere near where the car was due to run than fit all racing cars with canopies....???

[SGWilko]

Sadly, the news could be better;

Maria de Villota loses right eye in accident, remains in critical but stable condition - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com

[N4D13]

It's terrible to hear that, SGWilko... that's end of the line for her, I believe. I don't think she was anywhere near a great driver, but still, losing an eye? That's disastrous...

[truefan72]

I would really like to know now what exactly happened.
Was it a car failure or a driver error?
Either way, it is sad news.