Autosport have requested information under the freedom of information act, on the HSE report into Maria's tragic accident in testing at Duxford.
Although the HSE determined that no further action action will be taken against the parties involved, some aspects of the report should make uncomfortable reading for those managing the test on the day and more widely for F1 teams to note.
Saying that Maria was poorly prepared for the test is something of a understatement...
'The straightline test took place at Duxford Aerodrome on July 3 2012, a day after de Villota had a seat-fitting in the car.
According to the report, the Spaniard said she could not operate the clutch when the steering was on full-lock but was told "it does not matter as there would be no need for full-lock during the straightline test".
She was also given notes from the race engineer ahead of the drive, but these did not feature information about stopping the car or "which gears should be selected when arriving at the pitlane".'
You can read more details below, but clearly unfamiliarity with the cars systems and procedures coupled with driving the car in an unregulated environment, lead to an entirely avoidable accident.
Perhaps the 'best' quote is
'It also said the team was "relying on the skill and experience of the driver".' This was someone who had a seat fitting the day before and had never driven the car and had very limited experience of driving an F1 car at all!
Great Shame and what a waste.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/119752