Reports are confirming that Maria De Villota was found passed away in her hotel room http://au.eurosport.com/formula-1/former-f1-driver-de-villota-found-dead-in-hotel-room_sto3959202/story.shtml Very sad news RIP
oh dear are they really overthinking this? It sounds so corporate.... If they don't want to pay a simple respect to her then don't bother. Its better than sounding gloriously fake.
It's ridiculous. F1 is just so cold these days. It's completely lost all sense of unity. The Indy community is polar opposite... It's sad to see the difference between the two.
Every time I think about this I have a little cry. Only a few weeks ago I was looking at her wedding photos and thinking how happy she looked and how much she deserved happiness after all she had endured; now this. I suppose Whitmarsh is just telling it as it is. As far as I can remember the show has always gone on in F1, there's so much at stake, but I'm not sure I could be so "careful" about offending the insensitivities of the "real racers". It's so strange from my point of view, I presume they must have known her personally.
It doesn't take much to pay a simple tribute prior to the race. And if that's going to disrupt any of the delicate little flowers that are the drivers, then they can jog on.
tbh pretty much every driver and F1 personality has paid their respects to her family. So im a bit lost on whitmarshes comments above now
Didn't know Maria, and like Alonso I don't know what to say, for me, there are no words that work at times like this, sleep well young lady.
What a tragedy. Totally unexpected.Maria's untimely exit has left the F1 world in a state of shock. The courageous manner in which she dealt with life after that fateful Duxford accident was inspirational; and not entirely dissimilar to Alex Zanardi. We, and the whole world have lost a beautiful gem⦠. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - -o0o- - - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I fully concur with the recent comments in this thread, following Martin Whitmarsh's statement. Through no fault of his own, he finds himself in an awkward situation. In my opinion, 'over-thinking' (as was so aptly put, above) is the polar opposite of spontaneity. I personally have no doubt Maria herself would have preferred the latterâ¦
Surely a simply black band over the nose of each car would be a simple and effective tribute? No need for Whitmarsh to over-complicate (over-corporatise?) what should be show of solidarity by the F1 community. I initially thought it must be suicide, but recent radio reports are suggesting it was natural causes. RIP
I think we should not be overly concerned with what will be done, and am quite certain it will be very appropriate. I'm pretty sure a decision has already been reached and the outcome will be thoroughly respectful.
A few moments to remember her and to allow the F1 community to pay their respects prior to the race is all it needs. It doesn't need a committee or a a vote to do the right thing.