Mansell Mania returns to Silverstone
Discussion
Nope neither Mini-Mansells but the old man himself.
He'll be driving the Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari 430 at the SIlverstone round of the FIA GT series.
Scuderia Ecosse has sprung a huge surprise after announcing that former Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell is to drive one of its Ferrari 430s in the second round of the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone.
The 1992 World Champion, who drove for the Scuderia for two seasons in 1989-90 and won three times in Ferrari colours, will join the team's regular drivers Andrew Kirkaldy, Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen for the weekend, although no announcement has yet been made over who Mansell will be paired with for the two-hour event.
Kirkaldy and Niarchos competed together in the opening round of the season in China while Mullen was partnered by Tomas Enge, although the Czech driver is now out of action following his accident during the Grand Prix of St Petersburg where he was competing for the Petersen/White Lightning team.
While Enge's injury will have undoubtedly played a part in Mansell getting the chance to compete in Ferrari colours once again, rumours suggesting that he could compete in a Ferrari in the ALMS led to the team suggesting he try the car a bit closer to home, and after a successful test alongside Niarchos and Kirkaldy at Knockhill, he will now take his place on the grid for the first European event on the FIA GT calendar. Mansell will also join the team for a Pirelli tyre test at Estoril later this month ahead of the event.
“This was a challenge I had to accept,” Mansell admitted. “Stewart Roden runs a very good team and the cars are beautifully prepared. The Ferrari 430 is fun to drive but it remains to be seen how I will get on in a race situation as ex-F1 drivers tend to race with a target on their backs!
“I had a great time with the team at Knockhill and it's going to be good to work with Pirelli again as we have enjoyed many years working together in the past. I hope to see everyone at Silverstone as I think we are in for a great weekend of racing.”
Team principal Roden admitted he was delighted to welcome Mansell into his line-up for the team's home event and said the team would be doing all it could to ensure that the weekend proves to be successful.
“As a team we are delighted that Nigel will be joining us at Silverstone,” he said. “We pride ourselves on our high standards so having a driver of Nigel's calibre with us really helps us to step up to the mark. In terms of race victories he is the most successful British F1 driver of all time which is an incredible achievement. Nigel was the last Ferrari driver to be selected personally by Enzo Ferrari before the great man's death in 1988. For a team that is so passionate about Ferrari we are so happy that Nigel is joining us and we will do everything we can to make sure that he has a successful weekend.”
Stephane Ratel, chief executive of series promoters SRO was also thrilled at the announcement that Mansell will be joining the grid for the event, a move he said was an indication of the current strength of the championship.
“To have a driver of Nigel Mansell's standing and popularity competing in the FIA GT Championship says everything about the level of professionalism that we have attained in the series, and also about our standing within the motor sport family,” he said. “Nigel is a natural born racer and seeing him reunited with the Ferrari name at Silverstone will be an extremely special moment; we're delighted the FIA GT Championship has provided this opportunity. I'm sure he'll relish racing the Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari 430 - it's a thoroughbred - as well as facing the stiff competition from our regular Championship drivers.
“Importantly, as we all know, Nigel is an incredible professional and an entertainer, and you can be sure that he will put on a special show for everyone who comes to see him.”
He'll be driving the Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari 430 at the SIlverstone round of the FIA GT series.
Crash.net said:
Scuderia Ecosse has sprung a huge surprise after announcing that former Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell is to drive one of its Ferrari 430s in the second round of the FIA GT Championship at Silverstone.
The 1992 World Champion, who drove for the Scuderia for two seasons in 1989-90 and won three times in Ferrari colours, will join the team's regular drivers Andrew Kirkaldy, Chris Niarchos and Tim Mullen for the weekend, although no announcement has yet been made over who Mansell will be paired with for the two-hour event.
Kirkaldy and Niarchos competed together in the opening round of the season in China while Mullen was partnered by Tomas Enge, although the Czech driver is now out of action following his accident during the Grand Prix of St Petersburg where he was competing for the Petersen/White Lightning team.
While Enge's injury will have undoubtedly played a part in Mansell getting the chance to compete in Ferrari colours once again, rumours suggesting that he could compete in a Ferrari in the ALMS led to the team suggesting he try the car a bit closer to home, and after a successful test alongside Niarchos and Kirkaldy at Knockhill, he will now take his place on the grid for the first European event on the FIA GT calendar. Mansell will also join the team for a Pirelli tyre test at Estoril later this month ahead of the event.
“This was a challenge I had to accept,” Mansell admitted. “Stewart Roden runs a very good team and the cars are beautifully prepared. The Ferrari 430 is fun to drive but it remains to be seen how I will get on in a race situation as ex-F1 drivers tend to race with a target on their backs!
“I had a great time with the team at Knockhill and it's going to be good to work with Pirelli again as we have enjoyed many years working together in the past. I hope to see everyone at Silverstone as I think we are in for a great weekend of racing.”
Team principal Roden admitted he was delighted to welcome Mansell into his line-up for the team's home event and said the team would be doing all it could to ensure that the weekend proves to be successful.
“As a team we are delighted that Nigel will be joining us at Silverstone,” he said. “We pride ourselves on our high standards so having a driver of Nigel's calibre with us really helps us to step up to the mark. In terms of race victories he is the most successful British F1 driver of all time which is an incredible achievement. Nigel was the last Ferrari driver to be selected personally by Enzo Ferrari before the great man's death in 1988. For a team that is so passionate about Ferrari we are so happy that Nigel is joining us and we will do everything we can to make sure that he has a successful weekend.”
Stephane Ratel, chief executive of series promoters SRO was also thrilled at the announcement that Mansell will be joining the grid for the event, a move he said was an indication of the current strength of the championship.
“To have a driver of Nigel Mansell's standing and popularity competing in the FIA GT Championship says everything about the level of professionalism that we have attained in the series, and also about our standing within the motor sport family,” he said. “Nigel is a natural born racer and seeing him reunited with the Ferrari name at Silverstone will be an extremely special moment; we're delighted the FIA GT Championship has provided this opportunity. I'm sure he'll relish racing the Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari 430 - it's a thoroughbred - as well as facing the stiff competition from our regular Championship drivers.
“Importantly, as we all know, Nigel is an incredible professional and an entertainer, and you can be sure that he will put on a special show for everyone who comes to see him.”
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Tuesday 10th April 21:01
gtr-gaz said:
molestrangler said:
... Remember the touring car period.
I also remember his attempt at an F1 comeback for McLaren.
Managed about 2 races, realised he wasn't getting anywhere so he quit, just like that.
...rather than flogging a dead horse for the rest of the season? The McLaren of 1995 was a truly awful car. I can't blame him. It could only have been a last blaze of glory for a 40yr old former champion; he wasn't there to re-develop a team around him, especially one that had crashed and burned so badly since its earlier halcyon days. He can be criticised for ever signing for them in the first place, but not for walking out. Imo, of course
stumartin said:
...rather than flogging a dead horse for the rest of the season? The McLaren of 1995 was a truly awful car. I can't blame him. It could only have been a last blaze of glory for a 40yr old former champion; he wasn't there to re-develop a team around him, especially one that had crashed and burned so badly since its earlier halcyon days. He can be criticised for ever signing for them in the first place, but not for walking out. Imo, of course
[/quote] and IMO too
As pleased as I am to be seeing the only fella back in a car it's just a bit (and only a bit) of a concern he's in a GT2 car. Mansell from what I remember has always been happy hunting people down, looking infront and not been too fussed with whats behind. Anything that is behind was then kept there. With the GT1 cars lapping him I just wonder if he's fully prepared for GT racing and letting people drive by him?
Prove me wrong, but if he takes out a Vette by chopping it's nose off at Bridge I won't be at all surprised.
Prove me wrong, but if he takes out a Vette by chopping it's nose off at Bridge I won't be at all surprised.
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