Lotus 102

Martin Donnelly returned to the cockpit of a Lotus 102 yesterday for the first time since the grisly accident in the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix that almost claimed his life. The Northern Irishman participated in 12 Grands Prix for the marque prior to the shunt which ended his frontline driving career and it was with mixed emotions that he stepped aboard the Andrew Morris-owned car for a run up the Goodwood hillclimb course. Donnelly, who has maintained a relationship with Lotus over the years as a driver and team owner, said afterwards: “It was like going through a bad divorce and being spat out by your partner only to have dinner many years later; you forget the bad times and enjoy each other’s company. That chapter is closed, though. But I hope the crowd enjoyed it as much as I did.” Donnelly will be out in the Lamborghini-powered car again later today, sharing driving duties with its owner.