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Driver who inspired F1 film touched by Pitt thanks

Aimee Dexter & Susie Fowler-Watt
BBC News, East of England
Martin Donnelly A selfie of Brad Pitt, who is wearing a blue shirt which is open, who is standing on the left smiling at the camera. On the right is Martin Donnelly who is looking towards the camera smiling, and is wearing a black and white chequered suit jacket. Martin Donnelly
The story of Martin Donnelly, right, inspired a new Brad Pitt film

A man who was in a crash that inspired a Brad Pitt movie said it was a "pinch yourself moment" when the actor thanked him for sharing his story.

Formula 1 driver Martin Donnelly, who lives in Norfolk, suffered serious injuries in a crash in Jerez, Spain, in 1990.

Speaking at the premiere of F1 in London, Pitt thanked him for "putting his energy and guidance" into the new movie.

"It was just a pinch yourself moment," Mr Donnelly said. "I said 'is he talking to me, is he referring to me'. It is one of those memories I will cherish for life."

Mr Donnelly was driving a Lotus Lamborghini which disintegrated against a barrier in a high-speed crash.

He suffered damage to his right leg which meant he could never compete in a top-end single seater car again.

His accident influenced the story line of the new film, seeing Pitt's character Sonny Hayes return to the wheel after he was in a crash.

The 61-year-old actor undertook four months of driver training in Abu Dhabi as well as Silverstone and Rockingham in Northamptonshire.

Martin Donnelly Martin Donnelly is standing on the right looking towards the camera smiling He is wearing a black and white chequered suit jacket, and a black shirt with a tie to match. He is point to a poster of the film which has a picture of Brad Pitt wearing a white racing suit. Martin Donnelly
Mr Donnelly met the actor at the premiere of the F1 film, which was released on Wednesday

Talking about watching the accident in the film, Donnelly told the BBC: "It was such a surreal moment. It was something only I could appreciate.

"After one of the operations the surgeon said, 'that is it - you will never drive an F1 car again'.

"But he does not know the mind of a racing driver. We are stubborn and determined and selfish.

"On 23 February 1993 I drove a Jordan car around Silverstone and that was me giving my surgeons the pledge to say you know your books, but you do not know me, and here I am."

Getty Images A yellow racing car is in the half following a crash Pieces of the car are scatted across part of the grey track and on the grass to the right. People are standing and walking around the area. Getty Images
The force of the impact at Jerez was so violent it cracked Donnelly's helmet, causing bruising to his brain
Shaun Whitmore/BBC Rupert Manwaring is looking towards the camera with a light smile. He has short brown hair and brown eyes, and is wearing a light blue shirt. Behind him is a cabinet with racing driving suits which are yellow with blue writing on them.Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Mr Manwaring said the team at Lotus had their eye on Mr Donnelly for a while before he joined them in 1990

Speaking about meeting Pitt, Mr Donnelly added: "It was just a surreal moment.

"A highly rated A-List star like Brad Pitt asking me for advice and direction."

Mr Donnelly still works with Lotus and runs his own driving academy.

Rupert Manwaring, former team manager for Lotus, said: "He just had all of the right ingredients to be a good driver.

"It was pretty clear to me that he was going to be a real star.

"I think it has been a good thing for Martin and we were happy to support him."

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