F1 woman test driver María de Villota dies in Spain

In the male-dominated world of motorsport, María de Villota, who died of a suspected heart attack in Spain on Friday, always stood out.

As one of a tiny number of female drivers, she rose through the ranks from junior go-karting to become a Formula One test driver, just one step away from the big time of taking part in a grand prix – something only a handful of women have ever achieved. Her dreams were left unfulfilled, however, when she suffered a horrific accident in 2012 that nearly killed her, blinding her in one eye, and leaving her permanently scarred.

Her death, at 33, was met with an outpouring of grief, not just from the motor sports community, but across Spain, where she was seen as a role model for those who fought to overcome adversity. She was found by her PA in a hotel room in Seville. Spanish police said there were no signs of foul play.

The news of her death emerged just as the second practice session for the Japanese grand prix was coming to an end. Martin Whitmarsh, team principal of McLaren Mercedes, said: "She was an inspiration not just to women in this sport, but also to all those who suffered life-threatening injuries. Her story, determination and subsequent inspiration flowed from F1 through sport as a whole."

A statement on De Villota's Facebook page, signed by her family, read: "Dear friends: María has left us. She had to go to heaven like all angels. We are thankful to God for the extra year and a half that he left her with us."

De Villota's life looked like it had begun to turn around as she recovered from her accident; in July she married her personal trainer, Rodrigo García Millán, and she said she believed the best was yet to come. On Friday morningshe was due to give a speech to a group of students about how to overcome life's setbacks, as part of a conference called What Really Matters. Ahead of the talk she had said: "Life is beautiful, the only thing we have to do is take it a little slower, and enjoy it."

She was then to go on tour to publicise her autobiography, Life is a Gift, which will be published on Monday, a book which tells the story of how her life changed after the accident.

The night before she died, De Villota is said to have complained to her manager about a terrible headache – questions remain as to whether her death might be connected to the injuries suffered in the accident 18 months ago.

In July 2012, De Villota was carrying out her first test drive for the Marussia team at Duxford Aerodrome, Cambridgeshire, when she crashed into a stationary truck after she had left the track. Lucky to survive, she was in hospital for a month, lost the sight in her right eye, her sense of taste and smell, and suffered terrible headaches.

At a press conference just a few months after the accident, her long blonde hair cut short, and a patch over her right eye, she left no one in any doubt that her injuries would hold her back, just as she had never been stopped from racing. To those who questioned whether women should participate in Formula One, she said: "I do now have a physical impediment that prevents me driving in Formula One, but before I didn't. I believe in women in motorsports."

Williams development driver Susie Wolff – one of the few women currently at the top level of the sport – spoke of how her friend had encouraged her to keep on driving after the accident. "She knew that women could compete at that level and that's why, after her accident and her not being able to do it anymore, she just wanted someone to know it was possible," said Wolff. "She had such a spirit for life. What she came through was a testament to her strength of character and her positive outlook on life."

Born in Madrid in 1980 to a motor racing family – her father, Emilio, was a Formula One driver in the 1970s and 80s – De Villota started kart racing at 16, winning a race in her first year, before competing and winning in Spanish F3, Daytona 24 Hours, the World Touring Car Championship and the Superleague Formula Championship. She was given her first chance to test a Formula One car in a Lotus-Renault in 2011, before signing for Marussia in 2012, the first woman to have done so since 2005.

De Villota had to demonstrate her determination all over again after the crash, making an extraordinary recovery after a month in hospital. She threw herself into raising awareness of women in sport, joining the FIA's Women and Motorsport Commission, working with children, and pushing for safety improvements in Formula One.

Speaking on International Women's Day earlier this year, De Villota said she wanted to inspire other women to achieve their dreams. "Sometimes you just need someone to tell you that you are not alone and to push you, to give you the opportunity and determination to go and fight for what you want," she said.

Only five women have ever entered a grand prix, with just two qualifying and starting a race, and De Villota described the difficulties she faced in Formula One, where every mistake was likely to be pored over by those who didn't believe she should be there.

"I knew my dream to reach F1 was going to be tough and I think my whole life has been a fight, but I did not expect to be as strong as I've been. I guess my life as a racing driver taught me to be strong and have the determination to fight for the things you want. In the end that was the best basis because everything I learnt in my racing career saved my life."On Friday, the FIA president, Jean Todt, described her death as "a tragic day for motor sport". Her aded: "María was a fantastic driver, a leading light for women in motor sport and a tireless campaigner for road safety. Above all she was a friend I deeply admired."

The Marussia team paid their condolences: "It is with great sadness that we learned a short time ago of the news that María de Villota has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with María's family and friends at this very difficult time.