Martin Donnelly (racing driver)

Martin Donnelly
Donnelly in 2026
Born
Hugh Peter Martin Donnelly

(1964-03-26) 26 March 1964
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Spouse
Diane McWhirter
(m. 1991)
Children3
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality British
Active years19891990
TeamsArrows, Lotus
Entries15 (13 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1989 French Grand Prix
Last entry1990 Spanish Grand Prix
Previous series
Championship titles
1987Macau Grand Prix

Hugh Peter Martin Donnelly (/ˈdɒnəli/; born 26 March 1964) is a British former racing driver from Northern Ireland who competed in Formula One at 15 Grands Prix from 1989 and 1990.

Donnelly competed in Formula Three and International Formula 3000, where he won three races, including the 1987 Macau Grand Prix. In 1988, he placed third in International F3000 after only competing in the final five rounds. He raced in Formula One in 1989 and 1990 for Arrows and Lotus, until a serious crash during practice at the latter Spanish Grand Prix ended his Formula One career.

After leaving Formula One, he has become a driving coach and retains a close association with Lotus Cars. He returned to professional racing in 2015, competing at Thruxton in the British Touring Car Championship. His career inspired the backstory of Sonny Hayes in F1 (2025).