<p> Former Spanish Formula One test driver Maria de Villota, one of the few women to come close to the top of the sport, has been found dead in a hotel in Seville, a police spokeswoman said on Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>De Villota, who lost her right eye and fractured her skull in a horrific accident at a test in England in July last year, had likely died of 'natural' causes, the spokeswoman said, adding that an investigation was ongoing.<br /><br />"We are assuming it was a natural death, but we cannot confirm anything," the police spokeswoman said, adding that forensic scientists and police from the homicide unit would examine the scene.<br /><br />Although the 33-year-old recovered from the life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash, she no longer competed and had instead become an inspirational figure for aspiring female drivers and was due to present a book detailing her experiences on Monday.<br /><br />The daughter of former F1 racer Emilio De Villota, she was appointed test driver for Anglo-Russian team Marussia a few months before her crash.<br /><br />She never took part in a general test with other drivers but was one of only a handful of women to have driven Formula One cars in the last decade. None, though, have come near to racing one in competition.<br /><br />The news of her sudden passing stunned Spain and the motor racing world. "I feel I owe it to her (to say something) because, out of the paddock and out of the motorsport bubble, she was an incredible character, she was a fighter," Susie Wolff, a Williams development driver whoknew De Villota well, said.<br /><br />"She had such a spirit for life and what she came through was a testament to her strength of character and her positive outlook," added the Scot from the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. "After the accident she was so behind me and had such a lust for life, she was so happy to be alive and that she'd survived it and she had so many great plans for the future.<br /><br />"She was just an incredible lady, no matter about what she did on the racetrack. She was just an incredible character."<br /><br />Spanish F1 driver Fernando Alonso appeared lost for words after hearing the news. "I really don't know what to say," he said from Suzuka. Pray for her and her family and the whole motor sport family. She was really loved by everyone."<br /><br />De Villota's family posted a brief message on Facebook. "Dear friends. Maria has left us. She had to go to heaven like all the angels. We give thanks to God for the year and half more he allowed her to be with us."<br /></p>
<p> Former Spanish Formula One test driver Maria de Villota, one of the few women to come close to the top of the sport, has been found dead in a hotel in Seville, a police spokeswoman said on Friday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>De Villota, who lost her right eye and fractured her skull in a horrific accident at a test in England in July last year, had likely died of 'natural' causes, the spokeswoman said, adding that an investigation was ongoing.<br /><br />"We are assuming it was a natural death, but we cannot confirm anything," the police spokeswoman said, adding that forensic scientists and police from the homicide unit would examine the scene.<br /><br />Although the 33-year-old recovered from the life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash, she no longer competed and had instead become an inspirational figure for aspiring female drivers and was due to present a book detailing her experiences on Monday.<br /><br />The daughter of former F1 racer Emilio De Villota, she was appointed test driver for Anglo-Russian team Marussia a few months before her crash.<br /><br />She never took part in a general test with other drivers but was one of only a handful of women to have driven Formula One cars in the last decade. None, though, have come near to racing one in competition.<br /><br />The news of her sudden passing stunned Spain and the motor racing world. "I feel I owe it to her (to say something) because, out of the paddock and out of the motorsport bubble, she was an incredible character, she was a fighter," Susie Wolff, a Williams development driver whoknew De Villota well, said.<br /><br />"She had such a spirit for life and what she came through was a testament to her strength of character and her positive outlook," added the Scot from the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka. "After the accident she was so behind me and had such a lust for life, she was so happy to be alive and that she'd survived it and she had so many great plans for the future.<br /><br />"She was just an incredible lady, no matter about what she did on the racetrack. She was just an incredible character."<br /><br />Spanish F1 driver Fernando Alonso appeared lost for words after hearing the news. "I really don't know what to say," he said from Suzuka. Pray for her and her family and the whole motor sport family. She was really loved by everyone."<br /><br />De Villota's family posted a brief message on Facebook. "Dear friends. Maria has left us. She had to go to heaven like all the angels. We give thanks to God for the year and half more he allowed her to be with us."<br /></p>
