Hugh Peter Martin Donnelly (born 26 March 1964 in Belfast) is a former Formula One motor racing driver who competed in 1989 and 1990 for Arrows and Lotus. Donnelly entered fifteen Grands Prix (13 starts), finishing a career-best 7th at the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Donnelly's career, however, was cut short when he suffered horrific injuries in a crash during practice for the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix. Travelling at high speed through the flat out Curva Ferrari corner (turn 12), Donnelly's Lotus 102 went straight on into the barrier at around 140 mph. The impact was so severe that the car disintegrated, leaving parts strewn across the track. Donnelly was catapulted back onto the track, still attached to his seat, where he lay unconscious with clearly serious injuries. Donnelly had suffered multiple fractures to both legs, a broken collarbone, broken cheekbone and a bruised lung. It was only due to the quick response of the medical team that ensured his survival.
After months of rehabilitation, Donnelly returned to racing in the lower leagues, but never returned to top-level racing. He now occasionally races as a guest in a number of minor events, and has since driven a Lotus 102 at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed. He also appeared as FIA driver representative for the stewards' panel at several Grands Prix since 2012.
Formula One Career[]
Formula One Statistical Overview[]
Formula One Record[]
| Year | Entrant | Team | WDC Points | WDC Pos. | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Arrows Grand Prix International | Arrows-Ford | 0 | NC | Report |
| 1990 | Camel Team Lotus | Lotus-Lamborghini | 0 | NC | Report |
Career Statistics[]
| Entries | 15 |
| Starts | 13 |
| Pole Positions | 0 |
| Race Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Fastest Laps | 0 |
| Points | 0 |
| Laps Raced | 586 |
| Distance Raced | 2,631 km (1,635 mi) |
Career Results[]
| Complete Formula One Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Pts | Pos | |||||||
| 1989 | 
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0 | NC | |||||||
| 12th | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990 |
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0 | NC | |||||||
| DNS | Ret | 8th | Ret | Ret | 8th | 12th | Ret | Ret | 7th | 12th | Ret | Ret | DNS | INJ | INJ | ||||||||||
| Key | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symbol | Meaning | Symbol | Meaning | ||
| 1st | Winner | Ret | Retired | ||
| 2nd | Podium finish | DSQ | Disqualified | ||
| 3rd | DNQ | Did not qualify | |||
| 5th | Points finish | DNPQ | Did not pre-qualify | ||
| 14th | Non-points finish | TD | Test driver | ||
| Italics | Fastest Lap | DNS | Did not start | ||
| 18th† | Classified finish (retired with >90% race distance) | NC | Non-classified finish (<90% race distance) | ||
| 4thP | Qualified for pole position | [+] More Symbols | |||
Notes[]
Quotes[]
"I would be very surprised if Martin Donnelly makes that rule. He is so cramped in that car, he is about 5 feet, 11. inches tall. Just looking at the car visually, he sits awfully high in the cockpit of the Lotus." - John Bisignano. Talking about Donnelly's cramped position in the cockpit. ESPN. 1990 Brazilian Grand Prix.
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