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Maria de Villota has revealed the terrifying extent of the damage to her carbon-fibred helmet that saved her life during a horror Marussia test crash in 2012.
In July 2012, the F1 hopeful inexplicably lost control of her car during aerodynamic testing at Duxford airfield, England. She struck the loading ramp of a truck resulting in serious skull and facial injuries and the loss of her right eye.
In June 2013, de Villota revealed her severly damaged R39 000 carbon-fibred Bell helmet at a road-safety and spinal injury event in Madrid, Italy. The helmet was nearly cracked in half during the crash.
'I MISS DRIVING'
Earlier in 2013, she revealed that she had taken her first steps towards driving again and that, despite her traumatic experience, she holds no grudge towards Formula 1.
De Villota said: "They gave me permission to return to driving. The distances I can already calculate quite well and it feels like nothing ever happened. At the end of the day my natural habitat is in a car and I am happiest in that environment. I missed it.
"When your life is saved nobody owes you anything. I don't hold any rancour towards the sport. The only thing I want is for the safety in races and tests to be improved.
"I will collaborate with them on what is currently lacking. Moreover, I feel very grateful to all the teams and drivers who have supported me after the accident."
She is currently working with the International Automobile Federation to help increase the prominence of female drivers in motorsport.
Five women have entered F1 races, the most prolific being Lella Lombardi, who started 12 grands prix in the 1970s.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
In July 2012, the F1 hopeful inexplicably lost control of her car during aerodynamic testing at Duxford airfield, England. She struck the loading ramp of a truck resulting in serious skull and facial injuries and the loss of her right eye.
In June 2013, de Villota revealed her severly damaged R39 000 carbon-fibred Bell helmet at a road-safety and spinal injury event in Madrid, Italy. The helmet was nearly cracked in half during the crash.
'I MISS DRIVING'
Earlier in 2013, she revealed that she had taken her first steps towards driving again and that, despite her traumatic experience, she holds no grudge towards Formula 1.
De Villota said: "They gave me permission to return to driving. The distances I can already calculate quite well and it feels like nothing ever happened. At the end of the day my natural habitat is in a car and I am happiest in that environment. I missed it.
"When your life is saved nobody owes you anything. I don't hold any rancour towards the sport. The only thing I want is for the safety in races and tests to be improved.
"I will collaborate with them on what is currently lacking. Moreover, I feel very grateful to all the teams and drivers who have supported me after the accident."
She is currently working with the International Automobile Federation to help increase the prominence of female drivers in motorsport.
Five women have entered F1 races, the most prolific being Lella Lombardi, who started 12 grands prix in the 1970s.
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2013 F1 season – fresh reports every day.