Mark Donohue's tragic comeback
Mark Donohue returning from retirement to lead Roger Penske's Formula 1 team looked like a perfect match. As ADAM COOPER recalls, though, it ended in tragedy
When Mark Donohue died in Austria 40 years ago this week, motor racing lost not only a hugely successful driver, but also someone who would surely have enjoyed a long and productive career on the other side of the sport.
A mechanical engineering graduate from a wealthy New Jersey background, Donohue won everything in sight on the US scene, in every major category.
Share Or Save This Story
More from Adam Cooper
Krack: Aston Martin F1 team no longer in “no-man’s land”
Gasly rues costly floor damage from Ocon contact in F1 Japanese GP
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Russell: Dirty air is causing F1 helmet turbulence problems
Vasseur: No guarantee that Ferrari F1 tyre issues are resolved
How an F1 underachiever became a Japanese political player
Latest news
F1 teams and Pirelli had no warning of “painted” Shanghai track surface
Sainz will have to "survive with what we have" in F1 China sprint
F1 Chinese GP sprint race and qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more
WRC Croatia: Neuville sets the pace to lead title rival Evans
Autosport Plus
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.