Brad Pitt’s upcoming Formula 1 movie features a dramatic crash scene involving his character, Sonny Hayes—an intense moment that many viewers assumed was a product of Hollywood imagination.
However, the sequence is rooted in a real-life incident that nearly claimed the life of British F1 driver Martin Donnelly.
The film’s harrowing moment is a direct tribute to Donnelly’s infamous 1990 Spanish Grand Prix crash. During that race, Donnelly lost control of his car after a mechanical failure at high speed. He slammed into the barriers at over 160 miles per hour.
The impact was so severe that the car disintegrated, and Donnelly was violently thrown onto the track in front of horrified spectators.
The injuries Donnelly sustained were devastating. He suffered multiple fractures, including a shattered leg, and endured severe head and lung trauma. Doctors placed him in a coma to save his life, and though he eventually recovered, the damage to his leg prevented him from ever returning to Formula 1.
Despite the grim prognosis, Donnelly’s resilience became legendary in the racing community. He defied expectations by walking again and remained deeply involved in motorsports. His story of survival and spirit became an inspiration for the character development in Pitt’s film.
Brad Pitt acknowledged Donnelly’s influence during the film’s New York premiere, expressing gratitude for the former driver’s contribution. “Thank you for putting your energy and guidance into the movie,” Pitt told him, emphasizing how the film’s authenticity was elevated by Donnelly’s firsthand insight.
The crash scene not only adds realism to Pitt’s portrayal of Sonny Hayes but also honors the courage and determination of a driver who nearly lost everything on the track. Donnelly’s legacy is now immortalized through cinema, reminding audiences that behind every dramatic race scene lies a true story of survival and human endurance.