DOB: 8th August 1953
Place of Birth: Upton-on-Severn, England
Nationality: British
GP Starts: 187
GP Wins: 31
Pole Positions: 32
Points Scored: 482
Born in Worcestershire, England in 1953, Mansell studied engineering as a young adult before making the move to racing in the late 1960’s. He funded the early part of his career himself and began competitive racing in karts in 1968.
His natural talent made him an instant success, and in 1977 he became British Formula Ford Champion. From 1978-1980 he raced in the British F3 Championship.
Colin Chapman, team owner of Lotus, was impressed with Mansell’s skill on the track, to the extent of offering him the opportunity to test drive for the team in 1980.
This turned in to a race seat the following year and he finished 14th in the Driver’s Championship in his debut F1 season.
Mansell climbed the ranks with Lotus, finishing 10th in the Drivers Championship in 1984. He moved to Williams-Honda in 1985 where he achieved his first grand prix win at Brands Hatch and finished the season in 6th place.
Spurred on by Murray Walkers flamboyant commentary Mansell and the "Red 5" Williams car became an infamous pairing.
In 1986 and 1987 he achieved more first place wins, but finished both seasons a runner up. His fan base continued to grow, and the popular Brit was a favourite among F1 fans.
1988 was not a good season for Mansell, Williams lost the Honda powered engine to Mclaren and illness and a badly performing car left Mansell completing just two of the fourteen races he competed in.
However, never one to disappoint fans, he pulled back a 2nd place finish at the British Grand Prix on home soil.
Mansell joined Ferrari for two seasons in 1989 and was the last driver to be selected by the late great Enzo Ferrari. He returned to Williams in 1991 and went on to achieve his most successful seasons in F1. In 1992 he won the world championship, setting a record for winning the title in the least number of grand prix’ since the 16-race format begun.
After a disagreement with Williams, Mansell left the team and joined the Newman/Haas CART team in 1993. He became the first driver in the Indycar series to take pole position and win his first race. Given this initial success it was no surprise that he went on to win the championship that year.
After the tragic death of Ayrton Senna in 1994 Mansell returned to Williams for 4 races, out-qualifying both Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher before winning the final race of the season in Adelaide.
After just two races with Mclaren in 1995, Mansell retired from F1 and purchased the Woodbury Park Golf and Country Club in Devon. Later career accolades include competing in the British Touring Car Championship (1998), becoming Editor in Chief of Formula One magazine (2001), and president of the UK Youth Charity (2002).
In 2006 Mansell will be competing alongside other F1 stars from the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s in the Grand Prix Masters Series.
Career History:
1968-1975: Karting (8 Championships)
1976-1977: Formula Ford (1976 FF Champion)
1978-1980: British F3 Championship
1980: F1 debut in Austria with Lotus (Lotus-Ford)
1981: Lotus-Ford, 8 pts, 14th in Drivers Championship
1982: Lotus-Ford, 7 pts, 14th in Drivers Championship
1983: Lotus-Ford/Renault, 10 pts, 12th in Drivers Championship
1984: Lotus-Renault, 13 pts, 10th in Drivers Championship
1985: Williams-Honda, 31 pts, 6th in Drivers Championship - 1st win at the European GP at Brands Hatch
1986: Williams-Honda, 72 pts, runner-up in Drivers Championship
1987: Williams-Honda, 61 pts, runner-up in Drivers Championship
1988: Williams-Judd, 12 pts, 9th in Drivers Championship
1989: Ferrari, 38 pts, 4th in Drivers Championship
1990: Ferrari, 37 pts, 5th in Drivers Championship
1991: Williams-Renault, 72 pts, runner-up in Drivers Championship
1992: Williams-Renault, 108 pts, Formula 1 World Champion
1993: Lola Ford Indy Car World Series Champion
1994: Competed in four GP's with Williams-Renault (France, Europe, Japan, Australia). Won in Australia - 13 pts, 9th in Drivers Championship
1995: Competed in two GP's with McLaren Mercedes. Purchased Woodbury Park Hotel Golf & Country Club in Devon
