Remembering María de Villota, the pioneering Spanish racing driver who served as a Formula One test driver for Renault and Marussia. The daughter of F1 racer Emilio de Villota, María forged her own path in motorsport and inspired many through her courage following a life-changing testing accident in 2012. María died in Seville #OnThisDay 11 October 2013, aged 33, from consequences linked to the neurological injuries she sustained in that crash. She had been due to speak at a conference and launch her autobiography, Life Is a Gift,just days later. Formula One honoured her with a minute’s silence before the 2013 Japanese Grand Prix—a fitting tribute to a life in around the sport. #f1 #formula1

Remembering Justin Wilson, who died #OnThisDay 24 August 2015. The day before, during the 179th lap of the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway, former Minardi and Jaguar driver Wilson sustained fatal injuries after being struck on the helmet by the airborne nose cone of Sage Karam’s crashed car. The impact rendered Wilson unconscious, causing his car to veer uncontrollably into a wall. He was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead the following day due to blunt force head trauma. His death was the first IndyCar fatality since Dan Wheldon in 2011. Wilson’s funeral was held in Northamptonshire, England, with about 500 mourners in attendance, followed by his cremation and a wake at Silverstone. An inquest later ruled his death an “accidental” result of a “freak accident.” Wilson was a British professional racing driver whose Formula One journey in 2003 was brief but memorable. Famous for his towering height, technical skill, and calm professionalism, Wilson overcame significant financial and physical obstacles to reach F1—becoming the first racing driver listed on the London Stock Exchange to fund his seat. #f1 #formula1