Conor Daly To Drive For Force India In Aero Test

Conor Daly will once again get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car with Force India on Wednesday, when the American ace partakes in an aero test at Duxford Airfield. The 21-year-old competed in the GP2 season opener at Malaysia for Hilmer Motorsport, and has been confirmed with ART Grand Prix in the GP3 Series for the remainder of the season.

Along with his commitments in Europe, Conor Daly will also contest in this year’s Indianapolis 500 with A.J. Foyt Racing. This will mark his debut in the IZOD IndyCar Series, with a team which has already secured one race victory with Takuma Sato this season. Daly’s test with Force India on Wednesday will be the 21-year-old’s third outing in a Formula 1 car, after he partook in two similar tests last year with the Silverstone-based outfit.

“These sessions are vital data gathering times for Formula 1 teams and I’m glad to be able to assist,” explained Conor Daly. “Formula 1 cars are very complex machines and the day provides me with a great opportunity to learn many of the systems.”

With in-season testing now non-existent in Formula 1, the various teams electing to carry out aero tests will naturally be striving to compile as much valuable data as possible before the next race weekend around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. Force India in particular will be hoping to continue with their competitive start to the season, which has seen both Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta lead a combined 14 laps in the opening four races.

Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service

Maria de Villota’s Incident Was Not Car Related

Marussia have confirmed that the incident involving their test driver Maria de Villota, in which the Spanish driver collided with the teams support truck at an aero test at Duxford Airfield, was not caused by an issue on the MR-01 car. The team naturally carried out a thorough examination of all the data available from the incident, and have ruled out speculation that an issue on the car caused the horrific accident.

The accident in question resulted in Maria de Villota being critically injured, after her head made a serious impact to the tail-gate of the teams support truck. After extensive surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, it was confirmed that Maria de Villota had lost the use of her right eye. After the initial investigation, the Marussia F 1 Team carried out a further detailed analysis of the accident. The results of the analysis were naturally shared with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), the independent UK regulator.

“We are satisfied that the findings of our internal investigation exclude the car as a factor in the accident.” Explained Marussia team principal, John Booth. “We have shared and discussed our findings with the HSE for their consideration as part of their ongoing investigation. This has been a necessarily thorough process in order to understand the cause of the accident. We have now concluded our investigatory work and can again focus on the priority, which continues to be Maria’s wellbeing. In that regard, we continue to support Maria and the De Villota family in any way we can.”

Following further surgery, Maria de Villota awoke and was able to speak to members of her family last Sunday. Since then, she has been making small but significant improvements and has subsequently been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

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Conor Daly To Complete Second Aero Test

Current GP3 driver Conor Daly will once again complete an aero test for the Sahara Force India Formula 1 team, when the American driver gets behind the wheel of the VJM05 at Duxford Airfield on Thursday. Daly made his F1 testing debut last month, in a similar aero test for Force India.

This test will come only weeks after Marussia test driver Maria de Villota suffered a horrendous incident during a similar aero test also at Duxford Airfield. The Spanish driver collided with the teams support truck, and subsequently lost the use of her right eye after suffering serious facial and head injuries. The 20-year-old American will complete specific data aero mapping work, as Force India strive to improve after a relatively disappointing British Grand Prix.

“Formula 1 cars are very complex, just learning how to operate the steering wheel takes time,” explained Conor Daly. “These tests help me understand what it takes to drive an F1 car and of course the biggest contribution I want to make is to the team’s ongoing improvement over the season. It’s amazing how much work we get through in a day as I spend most of the time in the car.”

Conor Daly has enjoyed a relatively competitive season in GP3 so far, taking the sprint race victory at the season opener around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. The American driver also finished 2nd last time out at Silverstone during the sprint race, and currently sits 6th in the Drivers’ Championship with 45 points.

Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service

Maria de Villota Now ‘Serious But Stable’

Maria de Villota’s condition has now gradually improved after her horrific accident earlier in the week, in which the Spaniard crashed into the teams support truck during a straight line aero test at Duxford Airfield. She is now in an “serious but stable” condition, after undergoing further surgery earlier today.

The Spanish driver suffered serious head and facial injuries after her crash, and has subsequently lost the use of her right eye. Todays operation lasted significantly less time that her previous operation, which started on Tuesday and ended on Wednesday.

“Earlier today, Maria underwent further surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.” Read the latest official statement from the Marussia F1 Team. “This was a planned procedure that would depend upon the continued stability of Maria’s head injuries, and this morning the medical team were sufficiently happy with her progress to allow the operation to go ahead.

“The surgeons successfully completed the next phase of surgery required to address Maria’s facial injuries. After the lengthy initial procedure, which commenced on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday, today’s secondary operation took significantly less time.

“Since the operation today, Maria’s condition in relation to the head trauma she received has further improved, to the extent that she is now “serious but stable”.

Whilst Maria remains acutely ill, this confirms that she has been responding well to the treatment she has received since her accident. Coupled with the significant progress that has been made with regard to her facial injuries, we feel sufficiently comfortable to proceed with a further update.

“On a more personal note, we have taken a great deal of encouragement from today’s developments and the rather more positive signs for Maria’s family.”

Throughout today’s two practice sessions at Silverstone, many drivers showed their support for Maria. This was shown by the drivers sporting orange stars on their helmets, which is Maria de Villota’s emblem.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team

 

Maria de Villota Remains In A Critical But Stable Condition

Maria de Villota remains in a critical but stable condition after her horrific accident during a straight line aero test at Duxford Airfield earlier in the week, in which her Marussia MR-01 made contact with the rear of the one of the teams support tracks. After a lengthy operation, it was confirmed on Wednesday that she had lost the use of her right eye.

Although there is no further news of Maria de Villota’s condition at this time, her family have issued a statement via the Marussia F1 team outlining their gratitude for the support shown from the Marussia F1 team and members of the sporting community from across the world.

“Maria remains in a critical but stable condition here at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.” Read the statement from Maria’s sister, Isabel de Villota. “While there is no further news than that at present, we have at least been able to take encouragement from the fact that Maria has remained stable throughout since the accident, particularly during the first night following such a lengthy surgical procedure as she experienced yesterday.

“We, the family, are supporting each other here at Maria’s side and we take great comfort from the remarkable medical care she has been receiving. We remain positive and this is due, in no small part, to the overwhelming expression of love and support for Maria from every corner of the world. We would also wish to thank everyone at the Marussia F1 Team for all the care and attention they have shown us over the past few days.”

The sporting world has been united in showing their support toward Maria de Villota, with many using the popular social networking site Twitter as means of voicing such support. Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal tweeted yesterday showing his support, saying: “María I hope you recover soon, you must be strong and we hope to see you back  as soon as possible.”

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Maria de Villota Conscious After Testing Accident

Marussia’s test driver Maria de Villota is conscious after a horrific accident during a straight-line aero test at Duxford Airfield earlier today, after her car collided with the tail-lift of the team’s truck. The Spaniard is reported to have suffered facial and head injuries, and is currently undergoing further medical treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

The accident occurred as the 32-year-old returned back to the makeshift pit area, where the Marussia F1 team were congregated under awnings working on computers. In close proximity to the team members was the team trucks, which Maria de Villota collided with as she returned after her initial run in the MR-01. Eyewitness accounts say that the cars’ wheels suddenly locked, leaving Maria de Villota wedged between the tail-gate of the truck and the cockpit of her Marussia.

Emergency services were immediately called to action, and it is believed she was motionless for around 15 minutes as paramedics attended to her. Eventually she was taken to hospital, with what the paramedics called “life-threatening injuries”, and she arrived in a stable condition.

“Further to the accident involving the Marussia F1 Team’s Test Driver Maria De Villota this morning, the team can confirm that Maria was transferred by ambulance from Duxford Airfield, where the accident happened, to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.” Read an official statement from the Marussia team. “Since Maria’s arrival at the hospital at approximately 10.45hrs this morning, she has been receiving the best medical attention possible at the hospital, which is the region’s major trauma centre. Maria is conscious and medical assessments are ongoing. The team will await the outcome of these assessments before providing further comment. The team’s first priority at this time is Maria and her family.”

This was only Maria de Villota’s second time behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, after she tested a 2009 Renault last year. The Formula 1 fraternity have sent out their best wishes to de Villota, using the social networking site Twitter to write their messages.

More to come as this story unfolds…

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