Maria de Villota dead, 33
Former Formula 1 Marussia test driver and reserve Maria de Villota was found dead in her hotel room in Seville. Reuters

Maria de Villota was found dead in a hotel in Seville today. The talented 33-year-old former Formula 1 Marussia team test driver was discovered lifeless in her hotel room at 7 a.m., Friday morning. Emergency services rushed to Villota's hotel room but were unable to revive her. Maria de Villota was at Seville to give a lecture to promote her autobiography, "Life is a Gift."

Maria de Villota is one of the few women that have risen the ranks to enter the world of Formula 1. The daughter of former F1 driver Emilio de Villota, she was appointed as a test driver and a reserve for Team Marussia in 2012. Unfortunately, a freak accident occurred following straight line testing at England's Duxford Aerodrome. Maria de Villota was returning to the paddock to end the testing session when she struck the team truck. The accident fractured Maria de Villota's skull and took her right eye and fractured her skull at a test in England in July 2012

Villota was rushed to Addenbrooke hospital of Cambridge to perform an emergency operation. Following the accident, Maria de Villota demonstrated a miraculous recovery and even married her personal trainer Rodrigo Garcia Millan in July. Maria de Villota believed the best part of her life has yet to come.

Maria de Villota's family released an official statement to address the fans on Facebook: "Dear friends: Maria is gone. She had to go to heaven like all the angels. Give thanks to God for the year and a half more that we had left together. Signed. Family Villota'"

Spanish authorities continue investigations on the cause of death of Maria de Villota. "We are assuming it was a natural death, but we cannot confirm anything," said investigators.
The news had caused a solemn tone in Formula 1 as the sport prepares for the weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. "It's an almighty shock, said Sky F1 announcer Johnny Herbert. "She was part of the F1 family. She will be a big, big loss."
"She was a fantastic woman. She was always happy, and she had just got married and was a happy woman again. She was always positive and we will always miss her," said Ferrari reserver driver and fellow Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.
FIA President Jean Todt released the following statement to the press: "Today is a tragic day for motor sport. My deepest condolences go to the de Villota family. Maria was a fantastic driver, a leading light for women in motor sport and a tireless campaigner for road safety.

"Above all she was a friend I deeply admired. Through her courage, strength and determination she transformed her personal misfortune on the track into a powerful message for road safety that was heard at race tracks and beyond around the world. Maria was a beloved member of the FIA family. Our thoughts go to her family today."