Marussia rules out mechanical fault in de Villota F1 tragedy

Marussia has concluded there was no mechanical failure in the accident that saw Formula One driver Maria de Villota collide with a service truck during testing earlier this month. According to CNN, the F1 race team conducted thorough tests alongside an external forensic company and the UK's Health and Safety Executive and found there was no fault with the MR-01 car itself. De Villota was testing the platform for the first time when the freak accident occurred. de Villota lost an eye due to the collision. Marussia team principal John Booth said in a statement that the team has concluded the investigatory work and can now focus on the priority of supporting De Villota and her family.

The 34-year-old Spanish driver was one of just two female drivers contracted to compete in F1 this season. She also became the first female driver in F1 since 1992, though before signing on with Marussia, de Villota tested with Renault and campaigned in Spanish F3 and the Daytona 24 Hours.