Formula One 2013

[Katsuya]

You'd have to say that Hulk having a good drive this weekend is starting to ring doom bells for Massa.

[Katsuya]

And as I say that, apparently the deal for Kimi to go back to Ferrari is pretty much done.

Hulk to Lotus then please?

[Lineker]

That's what's doing the rounds. Seems as if Massa will be without a seat next year.

Sauber are going to be SO shit with Gutierrez and Serotkin next year.

[Katsuya]

Yup. BBC article pretty much says Kimi to Ferrari, Hulk to Lotus. Good deal for both of them really.

Shame to see Massa go, but you have to think that it's been on the cards for ages now.

[Chris2K]

I hope Massa is at least in contention for that Sauber seat, but with Sauber's current financial situation I'm guessing that Serotkin is in for the money he brings. Like Lineker says, they're going to be absolutely abysmal next year unless Serotkin turns out to be a huge surprise.

It's interesting to see these brand new tracks coming along and then falling away a few years later. Bernie is so focused on this international expansion idea that he seems oblivious as to whether the countries they're going to actually want F1 or not. Whilst this is all going on there are plenty of tracks in Europe that get constantly overlooked despite the countries having a solid F1 fan base, Imola, any French track, Jerez and Estoril come to mind. I really like Istanbul as a circuit but the lack of fans seems to have permanently killed that idea.

[Lineker]

Imola has ancient pit and media facilities and is not up to the required standard anymore as an Formula One facility. France hasn't had a race because Magny-Cours is in the middle of nowhere and Bernie has deemed it impractical. Jerez is the testing track, and Estoril was mooted recently but that's faded away.

Having tracks all around the world is good for the expansion of the sport - even a lot of the Tilke tracks are lacking.

Massa will end up being the Ferrari reserve driver, I imagine.

[Katsuya]

Massa's confirmed he will no longer be a Ferrari driver.

Serotkin is 99% going to be awful as Gutierrez, but everyone thought that about Kimi and look how that turned out.

[Rainiac]

So with Kimi now confirmed at Ferrari for next season, I assume that means Nico Hulkenberg gets his old seat at Lotus? If so, that's a great move for him. Ferrari is going to be stacked, but not in the good way, and I hope Massa has a spot on the grid next season. As for Sauber, if Serotkin is as shit as I assume he's going to be, the team may struggle to be competitive against Caterham & Marussia. And I'm not even joking

[Lineker]

The pecking order next year will depend almost exclusively on which engine provider has developed the best and most reliable V6 engine.

[Katsuya]

The sad thing is I don't actually think Hulkenburg to Lotus is as done a deal as people hope. Keeping in mind that he's inexplicably ended up without a drive already, and Lotus' apparent salary issues (though I imagine he'll want considerably less than Kimi), it's not as obvious as it may seem.

[Lineker]

So, Singapore. Vettel obliterates all opposition, yawn.

Formula 1 chiefs have finally signed the Concorde Agreement, following months of negotiations to finalise the document by which the sport is run. A statement issued by the FIA ahead of the World Motor Sport Council meeting said that motor racing's governing body and Formula One Management had committed to it. The new Concorde, which runs from 2013 to 2020, includes a ramp-up of finances for the FIA plus a new rule-making process for F1 - which includes the formation of a strategy group and a slimmed down F1 Commission. A statement issued on Friday said that the next step was for the FIA and FOM agreement to now be turned in to a tripartite agreement with the teams.

The FIA has given the go-ahead for Pirelli to continue as Formula 1's sole tyre supplier next season. While the deal has not officially been confirmed, the FIA World Motor Sport Council has stated that Pirelli "may" continue to supply the tyres in 2014 subject to certain technical and safety standards being met. But it also suggests that Pirelli would have to undertake an FIA tender process if it is to continue to supply tyres to F1 beyond the 2014 season. The Italian tyre manufacturer has been on the brink of finalising a new five-year deal to be F1's control tyre supplier for some time having agreed terms with both the commercial rights holder and all 11 teams. FIA president Jean Todt recently told AUTOSPORT that he is happy for Pirelli to continue beyond its current deal expiring at the end of 2013 if this is what the teams want. The will of the teams is understood to be one of the key factors that will be taken into consideration in any future tenders.

AUTOSPORT understands that Pirelli does now have a five-year agreement despite the apparent need to compete for the tender for 2015 and beyond, which is now enshrined in the new Concorde Agreement. The tender process also allows the FIA to offer a tender for an F1 fuel supplier in future. "One of the noteworthy aspects of the new 2013 Concorde Agreement is the new tender procedure for appointing single suppliers in the tyre and fuel categories, for the FIA F1 World Championship," said an FIA statement. "In this new process, the FIA will be confirmed as the body in charge of conducting the tender process. "The Commercial Rights Holder will be entitled to run the commercial negotiations with potential suppliers, with a view to the selected single supplier being officially appointed by the WMSC. "In order to cover the transition period and considering the contracts already settled by FOM and the teams with Pirelli, the WMSC today confirmed that Pirelli may continue to supply tyres to competitors in the FIA F1 World Championship, subject to the requisite technical and safety standards of the FIA being met." The FIA has previously been able to put the F1 tyre supply contract out to tender, but it did not do so officially for the 2014 campaign.

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council has confirmed a 22-race calendar for the 2014 Formula 1 season. The schedule adds the Grand Prix of America in New Jersey as a provisional fixture, with the street event having been absent from the previous draft leaked at the start of the month. AUTOSPORT revealed during the Singapore GP weekend that the FIA was set to leave a slot open for New Jersey after all. Mexico and Korea are also listed as provisional. The new season will again start in Australia on March 16, followed by races in Malaysia and Bahrain, which moves to the third slot rather than the fifth it had in the draft schedule. The season, the longest in Formula 1 history, will end on November 30 in Brazil.

2014 F1 calendar:

16 March Grand Prix of Australia
30 March Grand Prix of Malaysia
06 April Grand Prix of Bahrain
20 April Grand Prix of China
27 April Grand Prix of Korea (provisional)
11 May Grand Prix of Spain
25 May Grand Prix of Monaco
01 June Grand Prix of America, New Jersey (provisional*)
08 June Grand Prix of Canada
22 June Grand Prix of Austria
06 July Grand Prix of Great Britain
20 July Grand Prix of Germany (Hockenheim)
27 July Grand Prix of Hungary
24 August Grand Prix of Belgium
07 September Grand Prix of Italy
21 September Grand Prix of Singapore
05 October Grand Prix of Russia (Sochi)
12 October Grand Prix of Japan
26 October Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
09 November Grand Prix of USA (Austin)
16 November Grand Prix of Mexico (provisional*)
30 November Grand Prix of Brazil

* Subject to circuit approval

[Lineker]

Holy shit, Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn has admitted Rubens Barrichello is on the team's shortlist of potential 2014 Formula 1 drivers. Please please please happen. In other driver news, Jules Bianchi will remain with Marussia for a second season in 2014.

And Bahrain has won the battle to hold the final two pre-season Formula 1 tests in 2014. After months of discussions among the teams about whether to run in Bahrain, or try Abu Dhabi or Dubai, it has finally been decided that the Sakhir circuit will be used. The first test will take place at Jerez in Spain on January 28-31. The two tests in Bahrain will be held from February 19-22 and then from February 27-March 2.

Thursday's press conference:

DRIVERS - Paul DI RESTA (Force India), Jules BIANCHI (Marussia), Esteban GUTIERREZ (Sauber), Romain GROSJEAN (Lotus), Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes), Felipe MASSA (Ferrari)

PRESS CONFERENCE

Paul Di Resta, you've had a bit of a drought over the past five races or so. Do you put that down to bad luck?

Paul DI RESTA: I suppose you can, but at the same time we've had some unfortunate issues. But I think the important thing is to keep pushing on. Singapore was obviously looking like it was going to be a great result from a difficult qualifying session, the speed was in the car, but it wasn't to be. Hopefully this weekend we can get it together and get points back on the table, which is always the goal within the team.

The team has suggested that you've been affected by the change of tyres since the British Grand Prix, would you agree with that?

PDR: I definitely think the tyre hasn't helped but I think at this stage, and this far in with the new tyres, can you blame that? We've not optimised it like we did the last set, but I think everybody within the team has a great handle on tyres and it's just about unleashing the potential of them. We've maybe not got it over the whole weekend but the way we managed the tyres in the race in Singapore was obviously better than most people were able to. We just need to try to get the qualifying performance and I think if we can do that then it gets us back on track and we start having a good weekend again.

I hope so, thank you. Jules, obviously you've signed, we've had the news of that this morning that you've signed again for Marussia, although there were several other seats available, but you've resigned for Marussia. Your feelings about that?

Jules BIANCHI: Obviously it's a great feeling for me. It was a really late call this year and I've already signed for next year so it's amazing for me. I'm really happy to stay with Marussia because I feel really confident with them, I feel like at home. So I hope it will be a great season next year and I really want to thank them for that.

How do you feel about the potential for next year, particularly with the Ferrari engines. And also your own potential, how are you going to develop?

JB: For sure, I will feel a lot more confident because I will have a lot more experience in Formula One, I will have all the winter testing. We will have new rules, with new engines, with Ferrari. For sure that will be a great thing for the car and for the team. I don't know what to expect but for sure we will have an improvement.

Esteban, you had your best qualifying in Singapore. Was that the circuit, just everything coming together? How important was that for you?

Esteban GUTIERREZ: It was very important, because it was getting very critical not being able to qualify properly. Obviously when you start P9 or P10, there's a huge difference between starting P10 and P16 or P17. It also changes a lot your perspective because you're fighting with better drivers at the front as well. It was, I think, a great experience, a good step and a very solid one and I'm looking to keep this in a consistent way until the end of the year.

And obviously we've got a Mexican Grand Prix on the calendar for next year. Tell us how important it is for your country to have that grand prix, for motor sport in your country. But also, about the circuit itself, because I think you've been there. Is it ready for a grand prix?

EG: It has to be adapted. They have to do some work. Now there is a closer chance it will happened but it's not yet assured, so they're working very hard and I'm sure that the promoters are trying to find a way to make it happen. Obviously for us it would be a very special one.

Q: Felipe, it is four weeks since the announcement regarding your future with Ferrari. Can you tell us more about your future in Formula One?

Felipe MASSA: Well, not yet. So it's to concentrate to the last race. We talk with a few teams, y'know, and I don't think it's the right time to speak about that. I think it's the right time when you know where you are going. For the moment we are aware, I think, of some good opportunities. It's better to wait and say at the right time.

Q: You're getting on quite well with the current car it seems. You've out-qualified your team-mate five times this year, last time in Singapore. How do you feel about the current Ferrari?

FM: I feel OK, I feel good. I mean I feel comfortable inside the car and managed to put some points in the last races. Important for me, for the team. Just concentrate to carry on like that these last races and try to get some more podiums, some more better results even from what I had until now. I think qualifying is going well as well, so let's try to do everything we can to get some good results now in these last six races and finish well with Ferrari after our long and nice time together.

Lewis, last year you had an incident-packed race here but at the same time you've had a couple of second places as well at this circuit, included that wet race in 2010. What are your memories of this circuit and what are your feelings about this race?

Lewis HAMILTON: I don't really remember any of my races here! I remember qualifying at the front on one race but otherwise we've had some half-decent races but I haven't won, so there's nothing really good enough to remember, I'd say.

Q: I particularly remember in the wet, when you were going around and around and around behind the safety car and you saying "C'mon, let's go racing."

LH: Ah yeah, I remember that. But that's normal, that sort of thing.

Q: Since Silverstone you've had a good run of points as opposed to your team-mate who hasn't had quite the same run of points. What do you put that down to? A difference in driving style between the two of you?

LH: Well, the last couple of races haven't been so good for me. But before that, yeah, again I've just grown with my understanding of the car. Growing an understanding of how to really extract the most from it. Working better each time as we're growing as a team in terms of how we communicate and everything. So I hope this weekend is even better in that sense. We're constantly making changes, even after the last race weekend, there were some things we can improve on, particularly on communication. So we're hopefully going to see a better weekend this weekend.

Q: Is there one type of circuit that's better than another?

LH: No, no. I'm actually really surprised this year that the car is good everywhere. It's been a real blessing and I anticipate it should be strong again here this weekend. Whether or not we can keep up with the Red Bulls, we'll see - but my target really is to get these guys, the guys in the red.

Q: Romain, Eric Boullier in his preview of this race gave you a big vote of confidence saying that you had really come together, that you performing extremely well. How do you feel about your performances recently?

Romain GROSJEAN: Pretty good to be honest! I knew we were on a good run since the Bahrain Grand Prix except Monaco where I had a bad weekend and Canada where we struggled a little bit - but things were going together and I think it shows up in Germany that the final things came together and it was better and better. Singapore was a good race as well. We came back with a more normal package, the car was back at the front, which is enjoyable and hopefully it's going to be the case for the last six races of the season.

Q: Was Singapore a track that you liked or do you just have the confidence now? Has there been a breakthrough in some way?

RG: Well, I think it was not a track that I liked or disliked. It doesn't change much on the lap-time or the driving style. I tried to get on with everything I can and the car is getting better and better. I think we had a very slow start to the season. Since then we worked hard and it's like we lost all the testing and the first three races. So, started on the back foot but bring things together and Singapore was back to the normal wing level after let's say after Spa and Monza where we struggled a little bit more and should be good for the rest of the season hopefully. And, y'know, just keep doing the same thing as we're doing.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.

Q: (Abhishek Takle - Midday) Felipe, following on from the earlier question about your future, how optimistic are you in terms of your chances of getting a competitive drive next year and should you not get a competitive drive next year, would you still want to continue in Formula One?

FM: Well, I think I'm quite optimistic that I'm going to find a good direction, a good solution. As I said, I will not change my mind. I want to have a car that can give me some good possibilities to fight, not a car in which I would not have a chance to fight. So if I have that, I'm not interested, as I said.

Q: (Frederic Ferret - L'Equipe) To all of you: first of all, how do you rate this track as a driver, and secondly, what do you think of next year's calendar with 22 Grands Prix?

RG: It's too far from Seoul.

FM: I think it's a very nice track, I like to drive here. Regarding the calendar, I think it's a lot to think about because it's not really comfortable, not just for us as drivers but for the teams, so I think if there were a little bit better thinking behind it they can do a much better calendar for next year.

LH: I really love the track, they did a good job. It's nice to drive. You don't get as many people coming to watch as we would like but as Romain said, it's quite far from the main city. Just arriving today, seeing how beautiful the weather is, the scenery around it, it's really quite a peaceful place. In terms of calendar, I love racing so I would do many more if I had to but as Felipe said, it's difficult on the team. The year's getting so long. I think we're already testing in January so there's not a lot of down time for the guys back at the factory or us people who are travelling.

FM: I think the problem is that there are races where you go to Japan and then you're not going to another race straightaway, so you're going back to Europe and then you're coming back here. You can do many races - not a problem - but you need to do it in a better way.

Q: Esteban, your first impressions?

EG: Well, it's going to be an interesting track to get to know, it's my first time driving this track and I've already had a look at some media footage and it looks quite an interesting track.

JB: Well, I did FP1 last year with Force India. It was a good track, I liked it so now we have to wait and see how it is in racing.

PdiR: Again, like everyone, I think it's a good track to drive, it's got a nice flow in the last sector. Equally, it's got some good opportunities if you're attacking or defending in the first sector. For the calendar, I think it's obviously a great thing to go to new countries and new tracks and let other people experience the sights of Formula One, so very positive and I think like Lewis, driving's important and however many races that will be, I want to be the one who's taking part.

Q: (Trent Price- Richland F1) Felipe, Fernando's been relatively vocal about saying that it was the tyre construction that affected Ferrari mid-year and Nicolas Tombazis says no, it was more of a development curve that we took in the wrong direction. You've done a lot of Friday work on the car; where do you see where the issues are?

FM: For sure, if you don't have the car to win the championship you didn't do the perfect job, it's clear. We've had so many little things that either didn't work as you expected to fight for the championship, but I don't think you need to put names on the table. I think you need to speak about the whole group of work. I think that's the most important thing.

Q: (Livio Oricchio - O Estado de Sao Paulo) To all of you: since the Spa race, Sebastian Vettel set three poles and won three races, even on a circuit where he couldn't be so fast, Monza, for example. What's your point of view about that; how can he get such a big advantage from one moment to another one?

FM: Well, I think if you look at the last race, how his pace was, qualifying and in the race. If you appreciate that few teams will have new pieces on the car from now until the last race; similar to what he did in the last race, he's going to have some more victories, I think. For sure, his pace was better than everybody in the last races. It depends on the track, especially in Singapore. We're going to tracks where you need more downforce and they always show great performance as well. We will see. I hope it won't be like that but the chance is pretty much in their favour, that he can have more victories.

LH: I agree, there's not really much more to say.

RG: Well, they look quite impressive. They did a good job to bring them something that brings them a decent lap time gain so no, P2 is almost like a victory.

PdiR: I think all you can say is that the combination has not only worked this year but it's worked over the last four years. The difference that they've made from the beginning of the year to now is obviously working out in their direction and nobody is challenging them.

Q: (Abhishek Takle - Midday) Felipe, Pat Fry said in the run-up to this race that you're going to be using the Friday practice sessions to test 2014 parts, so how involved are you going to be with that programme of testing those parts?

FM: I hope I can test everything they give to me for next year, to have some experience, to understand a little bit. I don't know. To be honest, this year there's not a lot to be done for next year so the car will be completely different next year. So many things will be different so I think it's not so easy to try things on Friday for next year because everything will start from zero next year. But if we have some new pieces, I hope I can have them.

Q: (Simon Cass - Daily Mail) Paul, is your contract situation sorted out with Force India for next year, do you have a contract, because Vijay (Mallya) says he's going to leave the decision late as he usually does? I was just wondering where we were with that.

PdiR: The team's policy is not to discuss contracts at the moment, so I think you need to go to the press office and speak to them. I'll concentrate on this weekend and the driving part of it.

Q: (Dan Knutson - Auto Action and National Speedsport News) Lewis, is it possible to do a perfect lap and then, if you do that, how do you improve on it? Not just here, anywhere.

LH: I don't think there's a perfect lap. I think you can always improve, even if you do pull off a great lap, there's always some areas where you feel you could potentially gain, but then perhaps you lose in other areas. So getting a perfect lap like in the simulations we have are generally perfect laps. I think that's something we're all trying to do every single time we go out and the closer you get, the more exciting it gets.

Q: (Ben Edwards - BBC) Lewis, quick question: just looking back at the Singapore race. When the team analysed the performance of both you and Nico and Sebastian, you were so close to him in qualifying in terms of team pace, then he had that two seconds a lap advantage when he was sprinting, but do you think that was a bit of a false picture because he was very much pushing to open up that gap and maybe you guys were obviously in a different position in that race. Do you think that the gap we saw open up was a slightly false picture?

LH: I don't, personally, think so. No. I think that's the true pace of their car. Perhaps they have a lot more in the bag than we get to see, so it's just cruising, generally. I think in the race on the restart everyone's pushing flat out so there should be no reason why they should be able to pull away that much quicker. If you look at their on-boards, he's on the power, full throttle at least twenty meters before everyone else which is a huge advantage.

Q: What sort of reaction does that make you have and the team have; what can you do about that?

LH: There's nothing we can really do, we're always asking for rear downforce, always want to be able to get on the power sooner. But the last time I was able to put the pedal down that quick was what, 2007, 2008? 2007 when we had traction control, so it's a lot different.

[Katsuya]

Fuck knows how they'd sign Rubens, unless he's bringing in a lot of money all of a sudden. If it means no more Gutierrez though then that's wonderful news.

[MJB]

If Russia and Mexico stay on the calendar for 2014, I can't see Sauber going with anything other than Gutierrez and Sirotkin.

[Lineker]

HEY GUYS GUESS WHO'S ON POLE!

Pos Driver                Team                 Time            Gap   
 1. Sebastian Vettel      Red Bull-Renault     1m37.202s
 2. Lewis Hamilton        Mercedes             1m37.420s  +0.218s
 3. Mark Webber           Red Bull-Renault     1m37.464s  +0.262s
 4. Romain Grosjean       Lotus-Renault        1m37.531s  +0.329s
 5. Nico Rosberg          Mercedes             1m37.679s  +0.477s
 6. Fernando Alonso       Ferrari              1m38.038s  +0.836s
 7. Felipe Massa          Ferrari              1m38.223s  +1.021s
 8. Nico Hulkenberg       Sauber-Ferrari       1m38.237s  +1.035s
 9. Esteban Gutierrez     Sauber-Ferrari       1m38.405s  +1.203s
10. Kimi Raikkonen        Lotus-Renault        1m38.822s  +1.620s
Q2 cut-off time: 1m38.327s                                   Gap **
11. Sergio Perez          McLaren-Mercedes     1m38.362s  +0.793s
12. Jenson Button         McLaren-Mercedes     1m38.365s  +0.796s
13. Daniel Ricciardo      Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m38.417s  +0.848s
14. Adrian Sutil          Force India-Mercedes 1m38.431s  +0.862s
15. Paul di Resta         Force India-Mercedes 1m38.718s  +1.149s
16. Jean-Eric Vergne      Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m38.781s  +1.212s
Q1 cut-off time: 1m39.175s                                    Gap *
17. Valtteri Bottas       Williams-Renault     1m39.470s  +1.129s
18. Pastor Maldonado      Williams-Renault     1m39.987s  +1.646s
19. Charles Pic           Caterham-Renault     1m40.864s  +2.523s
20. Giedo van der Garde   Caterham-Renault     1m40.871s  +2.530s
21. Jules Bianchi         Marussia-Cosworth    1m41.169s  +2.828s
22. Max Chilton           Marussia-Cosworth    1m41.322s  +2.981s

107% time: 1m45.224s
* Gap to quickest in Q1
** Gap to quickest in Q2

After their penalties, Webber starts 13th and Bianchi (for blocking and impeding di Resta) starts 22nd.

Oh, and Sauber HAVE now ruled out Barrichello. Boooooooooo.

[MJB]

Worried about Vettel's speed in S1. Looks hard for anyone to be able to overtake him. Just hope that Lewis can slipstream him through T1 & 2 before having a dive up the inside for turn 3.

[Lineker]

Perhaps Lewis could take himself and Seb out at the first corner

[MJB]

Great drive from Hulkenberg. Can't entertain the idea that he won't be on the grid in 2014. Lotus should make him #1.

Credit to Kimi aswell who came from nowhere to finish 2nd. Oh and Webber is unlucky ... again.

[Rainiac]

That was a wild Korean GP. Poor old Mark Webber still can't catch a break & that cock-up with the fire truck was ridiculous, but Raikkonen had a great drive from 9th on the grid and Nico Hulkenberg undoubtedly had the drive of the day. I think Martin Brundle said it best: when are they gonna stick him in a race-winning car? Although if the rumours about him going to Lotus are true, I'm delighted cos he's a great fit for that team. All in all I'm rather upset Korea may not even be on the calendar next season, because that was unpredictable and actually a lot of fun (although I was hoping against hope that Vettel was going to retire in the final lap so Lotus could win ).

Oh, and Ted Kravitz probably gave the line of the day: "Adrian Sutil coming into the pits again. He should just retire out of embarrassment"

[Rich]

Maria De Villota has been found dead in span

Per BBC News:

Formula 1 reserve racing driver Maria De Villota has been found dead in a hotel room in Seville, Spain.

A police spokeswoman said: "We are assuming it was a natural death, but we cannot confirm anything."

Spaniard De Villota, 33, lost her right eye in a crash last July while testing for the Marussia team.

She suffered severe head and facial injuries after colliding with a lorry at Duxford Aerodrome, Cambridgeshire, but had been cleared to resume driving.

A statement from her family said: "Dear friends: Maria is gone. She had to go to heaven with all of the angels. Give thanks to God for the year-and-a-half we had left together."

De Villota, daughter of ex-Formula 1 driver Emilio, was reported to have been in the southern Spanish city to launch her autobiography.

The police spokeswoman said forensic scientists and officers from the homicide unit would examine the scene at the Seville hotel.

F1 teams and drivers have been expressing their shock at the news of her death.

Britain's Jenson Button said: "It's horrendous news. Very tragic, the girl has been through so much, more than most people go through in their lives. It has been tough for her but this is horrific news and a real shock to the whole paddock and the world of motorsport.

"We saw her this year in Barcelona. We were doing some work for a children's charity and she was the first one to put her hand up to do it, and got a lot of other drivers involved - she was doing a lot for the community."

Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn, who worked alongside De Villota as an ambassador for the Women in Motorsport commission, told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's really a shock to me.

"We were not too long ago all together in Paris when the FIA [motorsport governing body] ambassador programme was announced and I spent a day-and-a-half with her.

"I had so much respect for the courage she had and how she fought against all the odds and I'll always remember her having a smile, no matter what happened.

"After the accident everybody else would have thought she doesn't really want to have anything to do with motorsport.

"But no - there she was, texting away and saying she wants to be back as soon as possible. She found a position in the FIA and if somebody could be convincing about the messages and the strength she gave it was definitely her.

"It didn't take her any time at all until she was back; she was planning maybe even to drive but more important to her was to give other people the courage that you can still do so much even if you've had such a major setback."

De Villota's former team, Oxfordshire-based Marussia said: "It is with great sadness that we learned a short time ago of the news that Maria has passed away.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Maria's family and friends at this very difficult time."

Caterham reserve Alexander Rossi, an occasional analyst for BBC Sport, said: "Absolutely stunned and heartbroken to hear Maria De Villota has passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out. We will never ever forget you."

The Mercedes team added: "Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Maria de Villota following the tragic news of her passing.

"Her courage, determination and hope were an example and inspiration to many. She will be sadly missed by our sport."

De Villota had previously competed in Spanish Formula 3 and the Daytona 24 Hours race in the United States.

Last year, she spoke movingly about the initial recovery stages following her accident and recalled: "The surgeon came up to me with my family around him and said: 'Maria, we have saved your life, I don't know if you remember you had a serious accident but we have to tell you that you have lost your eye'.

"I asked him: 'Are you a surgeon? Do you need both hands to operate? I am a Formula 1 driver and I need both eyes to drive.

"Before, I only saw F1, I saw myself in a car competing. I did not see what was important in life, the clarity to say: 'I am alive'.

"It has given me my bearings, given me back what's important. I accept it with the energy to say I am going to live out this chance 100%."