Mansell

[Grand_Fromage]

Poor old Nige'. So sad that he crashed out in the first few minutes of a 24 hour race.

From my own standpoint, I have a feeling that it would be better for him to rest upon the laurels of his 1992 World Championship that he worked 12 years in F1 to achieve and his CART Championship win in 1993. His ill-fated return to F1 in Williams and McLaren was a sign of the future. He was not re-signed by Williams who opted for Coultard in 1995 and his pace in the ill-fitting McLaren couldn't match that of Mika. Despite his disastrous TOCA shoot-out in 1993, he returned to touring cars in 1998 but never really made any impression and quietly faded into the background.

I was in the press room at Le Mans scrutineering and overheard him being interviewed. He was clearly optimistic about the project (but I suppose he would be) and spoke of his wish to make his mark and that of his boys on the 24 hours of Le Mans. The consensus of the assembled CA web team was that Nigel had underestimated the difference between a 1000km  race on a permanent circuit and a 24 hour race on public roads. I did have a slightly embarrassing moment when standing at the press coffee facility and one of our cohorts asked me from a few feet away if I was going to interview Mansell. In reply I said (in a raised voice) something flippant and mildly disrespectful of our formerly moustachioed Brummie hero, only to turn around and see him standing right behind me. Eeek! Dave has red face and Nige' smiles indulgently at my discomfort.

[Nordic]

TBH I share Fax's sentiment on mansells past, good driver but marred by a huge chip on his shoulder.

However I do think he has maybe changed, according to those that where there is performance at the drivers parade hinted at a more relaxed Nigel.

As for driving at Le Mans, maybe he did underestimate it, was that because he was 'sold' on the deal by the team owners who had their own agenda, it cant have hurt thier bank balance to have mansell on board?

I dont see anything wrong in someone setting up deal to race with his 2 sons, who may or may not be anygood. Given the right situation, I would like to think I would be the first person to enter a team codriven by my twin daughters, I doubt we would win, but i would have fun trying.

I hope he does not give up on the project, as it represents a good deal for his sons, who by all accounts seem to have topped out ability wise, after all McNish, TK, Biela, Lehto etc never set the world alight in F1 one but have done okish at other levels!

[geoffd]

As for driving at Le Mans, maybe he did underestimate it, was that because he was 'sold' on the deal by the team owners who had their own agenda, it can't have hurt their bank balance to have Mansell on board?

Oh yes it could......

[Jager]

I've spent a bit of time googling for pictures of Mansell's accident or the car up against the barriers while he was extracted but haven't been able to find any.

This is the closest I could find. As commented earlier, I've certainly seen cars in much worse condition crawl their way back to the pits :



Has anyone else seen any pictures online they could share ?

[Robbo]

I've spent a bit of time googling for pictures of Mansell's accident or the car up against the barriers while he was extracted but haven't been able to find any.

This is the closest I could find. As commented earlier, I've certainly seen cars in much worse condition crawl their way back to the pits :



Has anyone else seen any pictures online they could share ?

According to Andrew Howard the damage was worse than first thought http://www.planetlemans.com/2010/06/29/beechdean-mansell-will-return-to-lms-in-hungary/

[Christopher]

I've spent a bit of time googling for pictures of Mansell's accident or the car up against the barriers while he was extracted but haven't been able to find any.

This is the closest I could find. As commented earlier, I've certainly seen cars in much worse condition crawl their way back to the pits :



Has anyone else seen any pictures online they could share ?

I don't think the issue was the state or condition of the car.......it was more the condition of the driver. Suffering from concussion, I doubt he was up to the task, and I suspect the medics put a stop to any idea he might have had of trying to get the car back to the pits.

[Martini...LB]

I watched it live, and obviously saw as much as everyone that was watching TV, and obviously saw more than most that were there (which would have included me if I were in situ) I do not believe that NM made any move to either get out of the car or move it and sat in the car until he was carried out, at which time the commentators thought that he might have hurt a leg or three. Not the case. He hurt his head - perhaps his head was: a. too big for his helmet, B. too big for the car, c. to big for his boots... who knows perhaps he was just unlucky, which I perhaps hope was the case and that he and the team will return next year. As long as it does not increase the crazy gang that turn up, all for the good.

One thing for sure his appearance certainly helped with the media exposure, and did a lot for his sponsor. There must be teams that have been going for years that would love, and deserve, that type of exposure.


>Martini...LB

[lofty]

martin
my answer is c
thats my final answer

[Leftie]

Having previously raced, sprinted, hillclimbed in the UK. My ultimate ambitition was to do the 24hr.

There was no way I could endure the stress these guys go through.

Agreed, I wasn't good enough even to be considered unless I had money and big corporate finance.(But could I do it? No way) I would just like to race the circuit. I gave up my national lisense in '92.

It's suprising that at a slight angle impact at high speed can create little damage, but the 'personal and physical' can be immense.

Just hope that the Mansell family with their squillions will fund another entry.

The 'stats' I read, was that 55K Brits went this year. It would be good for the marketing angle to ensure that the Mansall's booked thier next year.

[Chrisgr31]

Mansell was interviewed on BBC1 as part of the F1 coverage today.  I thought it was a good interview, and he came over very well.  He certainly said that the accident was a lot bigger than caught on the TV, and he said it was the first accident he had which as the car headed towards the barrier he thought he wasnt going to survive it.

He is also doing a cycling challenge and they showd some coverage of his training and showed him being held by other cyclists whist cycling.  He said it was due to the effect of the concussion which meant he couldnt see properly whilst cycling. He did take the mickey out of Eddie Jordan suggesting he should be fined for his shoes, and out of DC who he said took his car IN f1