Donington began hosting motorcycle races in 1931 and pre-war Grands Prix soon followed. After decades of disuse it was restored by Tom Wheatcroft, but Formula 1 visited only once, for the 1993 European Grand Prix on the extended circuit.
That wet race produced one of Ayrton Senna's greatest drives. From fifth he took the lead during an extraordinary opening lap and won despite rapidly changing conditions and repeated tyre decisions.
Across 4.020 km, its 11 corners create a distinct rhythm between braking, precision and acceleration. As a permanent racing circuit, it asks drivers and teams to adapt setup, tyre management and race strategy to the venue's particular constraints, while its clockwise direction shapes the sequence of its most demanding sectors.
