Maria de Villota Dead Spanish Formula 1 test driver found dead at a hotel in Seville Spain

De Villota, who lost her right eye and fractured her skull in a horrific accident at a test at Duxford airfield in England in July last year, had likely died of 'natural' causes, the spokeswoman said, adding that an investigation was ongoing.

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. The news of her sudden passing stunned Spain and the motor racing world.

'We are assuming it was a natural death, but we cannot confirm anything,' a police spokeswoman said, adding that forensic scientists and police from the homicide unit would examine the scene.

De Villota, the daughter of former F1 racer Emilio De Villota, was appointed test driver for Anglo-Russian Formula One team Marussia a few months before her crash. However she never took part in a general test with other drivers.

Only a handful of women have driven Formula One cars in the last decade and none has come near to racing one in competition.

'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 who had a test for Williams last.