Spanish Formula One driver Maria De Villota suffered serious injuries yesterday after a crash in testing for the Marussia team, it was confirmed.

De Villota was rushed to hospital after an early morning crash at Duxford Airfield circuit in Cambridgeshire, with ambulance officials initially describing her injuries as “life-threatening.”

Marussia said in an updated statement that the 32-year-old test driver from Madrid was conscious as she underwent treatment for head and face injuries at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

“Since Maria’s arrival at the hospital at approximately 10.45hrs this morning, she has been receiving the best medical attention possible at the hospital, which is the region’s major trauma centre,” Marussia said.

“Maria is conscious and medical assessments are ongoing. The team will await the outcome of these assessments before providing further comment.

“The team’s first priority at this time is Maria and her family.”

Marussia earlier said De Villota had been injured after her car collided with a support vehicle at the end of her first lap.

BBC radio presenter Chris Mann, who witnessed the crash, said De Villota’s car had ploughed into the truck after suddenly accelerating.

De Villota, the daughter of ex-Spanish F1 driver Emilio De Villota, was given a test drive by Renault last year and has also raced in Spanish Formula 3 and Daytona 24 Hours.