The Spanish female driver Maria de Villota, 32, has been released from hospital following her latest operation at the end of last month.

De Villota underwent a seven-hour operation in Madrid in late November.

It is expected to be the penultimate time she has surgery after her dramatic accident earlier this year.

The final operation will take place once she has recovered from her latest procedure.

On Monday, de Villota was named ‘Driver of the Year’ by Car & Driver magazine.

Her family collected the award on her behalf.

Maria de Villota has been released from hospital following her latest operation at the end of last month.