Martin Donnelly Returns to Racing, Finding Closure Over 35 Years After Jerez Crash

Former Formula 1 driver Martin Donnelly is preparing to return to the cockpit of an F1 car in Adelaide, over 35 years after a devastating crash at the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

The 1990 Jerez Crash

During qualifying for the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, Donnelly suffered a mechanical failure in his Lotus F1 car, leading to a high-speed crash into the barriers . The accident effectively ended his Formula 1 career. The crash, considered one of the most horrific in motorsport history, was later featured in the 2025 film F1, inspiring the backstory of the character Sonny Hayes.

A Return to the Track

This weekend, Donnelly will drive a Hesketh 308, owned by Northern Ireland house builder James Hagan, at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival. He expressed “a certain amount of trepidation” about returning to a Formula 1 car, but also a desire to find closure .

“The emotions inside my head will be, I’m sure, going hypersonic,” Donnelly told BBC News NI. “I do hope sincerely I find that closure.”

Inspired a Film Character

Footage of Donnelly’s 1990 crash was used in the film F1, after executive producer Lewis Hamilton contacted him for permission. Brad Pitt’s character, Hayes, experiences a similar career-ending crash decades prior to his return to the sport .

Donnelly recounted the experience of being contacted by Pitt, stating, “It was just a surreal moment. A highly rated A-list star like Brad Pitt asking me for advice and direction.”

A Career Cut Short, Then Resurrected

Donnelly previously defied medical predictions by returning to racing in 1993, driving a Jordan car at Silverstone. He recalled a surgeon telling him he would never drive an F1 car again, but he proved them wrong .

Prior to his Formula 1 career, Donnelly achieved success in Formula Three and International Formula 3000, winning three races, including the 1987 Macau Grand Prix .

Hagan’s Perspective

James Hagan, owner of the Hesketh 308, emphasized the significance of Donnelly driving the car in Adelaide, given the city’s connection to his story.

“Seeing Martin Donnelly drive it in Adelaide adds a completely different dimension. Given what that city represents in his story, this is far more than a demonstration,” Hagan said .