F1 driver ejected from car at 280 km/h in horrific crash - Throwback

Thirty-six years ago today, on 28 September 1990, the life of Martin Donnelly changed forever.

The Northern Irish Team Lotus driver was regarded at the time as one of the biggest talents on the grid, backed by an impressive record in the junior categories.

Donnelly had built his reputation with victory in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 1987 and strong results in Formula 3000. 

When he was handed a surprise call-up to replace an injured driver at Arrows during the 1989 French Grand Prix, he qualified comfortably ahead of his experienced team-mate Eddie Cheever. 

The talent was obvious, and Donnelly had already signed a new multi-year deal for the following season.

Everything pointed towards a bright future in the top flight. Until one fateful Friday in Jerez.

On the brink of death

During qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, the front suspension on Donnelly's Lotus-Lamborghini 102 failed. 

A bell-crank came loose and gave way through a fast corner, and Donnelly lost all control of the steering. The floor of the car scraped along the asphalt before it speared into the barrier at around 280 kilometres per hour.

The impact was so violent that the carbon-fibre chassis snapped clean in two, tearing open the monocoque. 

Donnelly was thrown from the wreck, still strapped to his seat, and landed separately on the track. Marshals did not need to cut him free from the car, because there was simply no wreck left to free him from.

FIA doctor Sid Watkins was among the first on the scene and immediately cleared the unconscious Donnelly's blocked airways to prevent him from choking. He suffered severe brain and lung injuries, along with multiple serious fractures to both legs and his collarbone.

He was placed in an induced coma in hospital due to organ failure and underwent several complex operations on his legs. At one stage, doctors even feared amputation.

Inspiration for an F1 movie

His recovery took years, with lengthy rehabilitation and lasting damage to his legs. Nerve damage left him physically unable to withstand the heavy pedal loads of a Formula 1 car, ruling out any return to the top flight.

Donnelly stayed involved in the sport regardless, working as a driver coach, running a junior team and serving as an FIA race steward. 

He made occasional returns behind the wheel too, including in Lotus brand cup racing and, as late as 2015, once more in the British Touring Car Championship. 

The crash itself led directly to stricter crash tests and tougher structural requirements for F1 monocoques, a legacy that still shapes every car on the grid today.

The accident did not stay confined to the history books either. It formed the direct blueprint for the backstory of lead character Sonny Hayes in the feature film F1.

The crash is visually recreated in the film, complete with a replica yellow Lotus 102 and overalls carrying Donnelly's sponsor logos from the time. 

Producer Lewis Hamilton and the filmmakers contacted Donnelly beforehand to secure his approval and involve him in the scene.