Silverstone. Thursday February 4, 1993. The media, out in force, has not come to admire the Jordan- Hart F1 car or witness a new lap record. The story on this foggy morning is that Martin Donnelly is able – and willing – to drive the car at all.
Two and a half years before, the Ulsterman had survived a colossal accident during qualifying for the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix. And here he was, preparing to climb aboard a Formula 1 car for the first time since his Lotus-Lamborghini had slammed into a metal crash barrier at 175mph and disintegrated. Donnelly may have been flung unconscious from the wreckage with his torso remarkably intact, but severe injuries to a hideously contorted left leg would lead to repeated setbacks, his life remaining in the balance for several weeks.