If you’ve watched the F1 movie, you’ve probably spent weeks wondering if the main character of the movie, Sonny Hayes, is inspired by a real-life driver. This fictional racing legend brought to life by Brad Pitt may not have existed if his story hadn’t been inspired by a real-life F1 driver.
In the movie, Sonny Hayes is a former F1 prodigy from the 1990s whose career was cut short by a devastating crash. After spending years away from the sport and racing anywhere he could, he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime. He returns to F1, joining APXGP, and finds himself battling for a desperate win. But here’s the twist: while Sonny Hayes is a fictional character, his journey is inspired by the tragic but heroic comeback of Martin Donnelly. So let’s take a look at the real-life Sonny Hayes.
Martin Donnelly: The Real Life Sonny Hayes
Martin Donnelly was a rising star from F1 who raced for Lotus back in the early 1990s. But in 1990, the fate turned, and he faced a horrific crash during a practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. His car was destroyed, and so was Donnelly’s hope as he suffered life-threatening injuries. The accident was so severe that it ended his F1 career on the spot, and for years, his story was a symbol of danger.
Brad Pitt and the filmmakers of F1: The Movie worked closely with Martin Donnelly and even used real crash footage and details from his life to shape the character of Sonny Hayes. Pitt himself said, “We based Sonny’s past on Martin Donnelly’s crash. Martin was so gracious to give us his footage and to allow us to build our character around that.”
The movie’s most intense scene, Sonny’s crash and his struggle to recover, and even his fight to return all mirrors Martin Donnelly’s real life.
While Donnelly’s crash is the soul of Sonny Hayes’ character, the movie also draws inspiration from drivers like Niki Lauda and Robert Kubica, who fought back from a career-threatening injury to race in F1.
What makes the character of Sonny Hayes so realistic is how the film itself blends the sport with Hollywood drama. Brad Pitt didn’t just act, he trained with real F1 drivers, drove modified F1 cars, and absolutely immersed himself in the world of racing. So, while Sonny Hayes is a work of fiction, his story is a tribute to every racer who has ever faced the unthinkable and found the strength to come back, like Martin Donnelly.
Also Read: The Story Of Billy Monger: The Racer Who Lost Both His Legs
