Martin Donnelly (sportsman)

Martin Donnelly (born 26 March 1964) is a Northern Irish former racing driver. He competed in Formula One for the Arrows team in 1989 and for Lotus in 1990. His Formula One career was tragically cut short due to a severe accident during practice for the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez.

Before Formula One, Donnelly had a successful career in lower racing categories, including British Formula Ford and British Formula Three. He won the British Formula Three Championship in 1987. This success earned him a test drive with the McLaren Formula One team, and later a full-time drive with Arrows.

His Formula One career with Arrows was brief, and he was released before the end of the 1989 season. He then secured a drive with Lotus for the 1990 season.

The accident at Jerez de la Frontera resulted in multiple serious injuries, including broken legs, a fractured skull, and internal organ damage. Donnelly was lucky to survive, but his injuries prevented him from ever racing again.

Following his recovery, Donnelly remained involved in motorsport, working as a driver coach and mentor. He has also been involved in various racing-related ventures. He is often seen at motorsport events, sharing his experiences and offering guidance to aspiring drivers. Donnelly's story serves as a reminder of the inherent risks of motorsport and the resilience of the human spirit.