Maria de Villota died as a consequence of injuries sustained in her crash at Duxford Airfield last year, according to her family.
The Spanish racing driver, who suffered serious facial injuries and lost her right eye in a crash while testing for Formula 1 team Marussia last July, was found dead in a hotel room in Spain on Friday.
A family statement read by sister Isabel on Saturday said: "Maria left us while she was sleeping, approximately at 6am, as a consequence of the neurological injuries that she suffered in July of 2012, according to what the forensic doctor has told us.
"Maria is gone, but she has left us a very clear message of joy and hope, which is helping the family move on in these moments."
F1 drivers will observe a minute's silence at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
