The focus remains on the Marussia team

Regarding the accident suffered by María de Villota on July 3, 2012 in Duxford (England), the investigation by the British Health and Safety Executive decided not to blame the team a month ago. However, the BBC has revealed some details that put Marussia in a compromising situation. "María de Villota was thrown against the truck," says the report released by the BBC.

According to the report, the team had not explained to the Madrid-born driver how to stop her car in the pit-lane, and the anti-stall system of her car prevented her from changing gears even though María tried to unlock the clutch. De Villota had completed two training sessions at Duxford aerodrome. She returned to the pit-lane but locked the tires, and it was then that the anti-stall system (stall prevention system) was activated, raising the engine to 4,100 revolutions per minute to prevent it from stalling. "María went for a lap around the track, but they didn't explain the procedures she should follow to stop. De Villota received instructions from her race engineer, but they didn't tell her anything about stopping the car or which gears to use when she reached the pit-lane," says the note published by the BBC.

According to the account of events, María pressed a button to try to unlock the clutch, but it didn't work. The car also didn't respond when the driver tried to shift from second to first gear. The anti-stall system prevented it and caused the frontal impact against the ramp of one of the team's trucks. To add to the errors, the report makes it clear that the ramp was "unusual" and "larger" than those typically found at grand prix events. "Not only did it create risk of injury, but it was located at the height of the affected person."

After the investigation, Marussia was cleared of blame for the accident by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), the public body that has been in charge of the investigation in recent years, which is surprising in light of the safety deficiencies that the BBC now brings to light. María's family announced through a statement that they will "study the HSE report in order to assess the start of legal proceedings."