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Former F1 pilot Maria de Villota found dead in Seville

According to sources, she died of natural causes

Photo EPA/KOTE RODRIGO

Photo EPA/KOTE RODRIGO

MADRID, October 11. (ITAR-TASS). — Former pilot of World Cup racing in Formula 1 class Maria de Villota was found dead at Seville, according to local media reports.

According to preliminary version, she died due to natural causes. The scene hasn’t been examined by medical and legal experts yet. According to the source, emergency treatment staff tried to help the racer, but to no avail. On Friday, de Villota was to speak at a congress entitled "What is really important" in Seville.

Caterham and Mercedes teams have already expressed their condolences. “Her courage, determination and hope have been an example and an inspiration to many. Our sport will miss her,” the message of the Mercedes team says.

De Villota was born in Madrid on January 13, 1980. She is the daughter of Spanish Formula 1 racer Emilio de Villota. In July 2012, de Villota has gone through a terrible accident during the test runs of Marussia team. The pilot suffered multiple head injuries, lost her right eye, but in February the doctors allowed her to return to racing. Earlier this week, she presented a book about his life.

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