In the 11th round of the 1990 Formula 1 World Championship, the Camel Team Lotus competed at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Martin Donnelly and Derek Warwick piloted the Lotus 102, developed by team designer Frank Dernie. The rather mediocre race car was powered by a Lamborghini LE3512. The 3.5-liter V12 naturally aspirated engine with an 80-degree bank angle produced around 620 to 640 hp and revved up to about 13,000 rpm.
Our photo shows the Lotus mechanics making the final preparations on Martin Donnelly's car before the start of the Belgian Grand Prix. The Northern Irishman had qualified 22nd for the race and fought his way up to 13th place over the course of the 44 laps.
Just a few weeks later, Donnelly's Formula 1 career was to come to a dramatic end. In qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, he suffered one of the most severe accidents in modern Formula 1 history. At maximum speed, the structure of his Lotus 102 failed, the vehicle broke apart, and Donnelly was ejected from the monocoque still strapped into his seat. He suffered multiple bone fractures, severe pelvic injuries, and significant internal injuries and was immediately admitted to the hospital.
Contrary to the initially grim prognosis, Donnelly fought his way back to life and, later, back into motorsport. Although he competed in races in various categories afterward, a return to Formula 1 did not happen.