Martin Donnelly, the former Formula 1 driver, revisited his 1990 career-ending crash after it was recreated for Brad Pitt’s recent F1 film. Donnelly revealed that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton reached out to him with an unexpected invitation to contribute to the movie’s depiction of the fiery accident.
Details of Donnelly’s 1990 Spanish Grand Prix crash and its consequences
Donnelly’s crash took place at the Spanish Grand Prix when a suspension failure caused his Lotus car to slam into the barriers at roughly 160 mph. The vehicle broke apart violently, leaving Donnelly trapped and unconscious in the wreckage on the track. He sustained severe injuries, including head trauma, lung damage, two broken legs, and even swallowed his tongue during the crash.
Medical teams later induced a coma to limit brain injury, but Donnelly’s vital organs started to fail. Despite this, he survived after extensive surgeries and months of intensive physiotherapy. The severity of his injuries compelled him to step away permanently from the racing championship.
How Hamilton’s call brought Donnelly back into the F1 world through the film
After years out of the spotlight, Donnelly received an unexpected call from Lewis Hamilton that reconnected him with the sport’s world, if only as a consultant. The film’s protagonist, Sonny Hayes—played by Brad Pitt—experiences a crash inspired by Donnelly’s story, and Hamilton’s outreach was aimed at ensuring accuracy in how the crash was portrayed.
I thought it was going to be one of those cold calls for central heating or double-glazed windows,
Donnelly joked.
I was quite aggressive … It’s not every day you receive a call from a seven-time world champion.
—Martin Donnelly, Former F1 Driver
Recreating the crash: Donnelly’s insight on the film’s gripping scene
The movie carefully recreated Donnelly’s crash, with the driver himself advising the filmmakers on the event’s brutal details. He described how the carbon fiber tub of his car shattered violently, propelling him through the air and dragging him along the ground over a distance of nearly 200 feet.
The carbon fibre tub shattered like a car bomb, and I went with the energy,
Donnelly recounted.
I got thrown out by about 60 metres (almost 200 feet) and travelled through the air and along the ground like a rag doll.
—Martin Donnelly, Former F1 Driver
Watching the crash sequences within the film gave Donnelly a stark reminder of what he endured. The replica involved a mannequin launched repeatedly from the car while multiple cameras recorded the action, capturing the harsh reality he had faced.
I watched them get a mannequin in yellow overalls and a helmet fly out of this car 15 times and all these cameras are taking pictures,
he said.
And then it would drop and be dragged along the ground. For me, that was a reality check because I’ve never seen it happen.
—Martin Donnelly, Former F1 Driver
Reflecting on lost opportunities and the impact of racing tragedies
Donnelly expressed a sense of what might have been, recalling the success of his former teammates such as Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, Eddie Irvine, and David Coulthard, all of whom went on to become wealthy and renowned within the sport.
This is what I’ve been reenacted for. And my friends at the time – Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert, Eddie Irvine, David Coulthard have all gone on to be very successful and very rich. Why wasn’t I given a chance to have that? Because when they were my team-mates, I kicked their asses!
—Martin Donnelly, Former F1 Driver
He also compared his fate to that of Ayrton Senna, the legendary driver who tragically died in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Donnelly expressed gratitude for his survival while acknowledging the profound losses the sport has witnessed.
I do believe that I could easily have become a world champion,
Donnelly admitted, before reflecting somberly,
I’m still talking to you. My friend Senna is dead. He had all the millions in his back pocket, three-time world champion, but who’s he going to share it with?
His death on May 1st, 1994, was the final nail in the coffin for me to say, ‘Hey Martin, look around you, you’re in the paddock, you’re still involved with the sport that you love. You’ve got no right to complain.’
—Martin Donnelly, Former F1 Driver
The broader significance of revisiting past F1 crashes through cinema
This Lewis Hamilton F1 crash recreation not only honors the terrifying reality of high-speed motorsport accidents but also offers a platform to remember drivers like Donnelly who endured life-altering injuries. By involving Donnelly directly, the film grounds its story in authentic experience, providing viewers with greater insight into the risks drivers face.
As F1 continues to evolve with advanced safety technologies and rising global interest, retelling these past incidents reminds fans and the sport itself of the human cost behind the high-octane spectacle. Donnelly’s involvement in the project also highlights the camaraderie and respect shared across generations of drivers, as well as the difficult realities surrounding career-ending events in racing history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. Lewis Hamilton, the F1 race car driver, openly shares his passion for veganism. He also invests in plant-based businesses.
