Nigel Mansell...still the KING..
- Thread starter kenshiro8
- Start date
Pete McCluskey.
Lifetime Supporter
Good stuff Paolo, NM was one of my hero's also. The old bloke still has it, 2 seconds faster than Damon Hill.
The masters series would be good to watch if it gets off the ground.
The masters series would be good to watch if it gets off the ground.
Pete McCluskey.
Lifetime Supporter
JackW said:
Jack as the saying goes, "it's good to be the king" or "why have a dog and wag your own tail"....He He. Believe it or not I do get plenty done.
Pete said:
Bet he did it tough though... No doubt back, ankle, in-car temperature, setup were all working against him...
I saw a piece on TV where one of the Top Gear crew stated that Mansell overflew their track in a helicopter and practised it for a week (something like that anyway) etc whereas the others just turned up and drove it.
King? - Drama King perhaps, but not what they're usually called...
Sorry guys, I'm not English so I don't feel I have to barrack for him.
I didn't mind Mansell, a bit of drama can be fun but I'd rather watch Keke Rosberg drive any day.
Back in the day, when Mansell was sitting in the self-drive, computerised, active-everything Williams I was much more interested in watching Senna driving like a demon in the McLaren. The in-car camera said it all - Mansell's footage was like a run to the shops, Senna's was all about driving on the edge and staying there, Fanastic! Senna was the hero in my book then, even though he didn't win. That Williams was a hell of a robot, the McLaren a good car.
I think English pride was slightly misdirected there, it should have been aimed squarely at the car. What an achievement!
I feel priviliged that I have seen drivers/riders of the calibre of Clark, Senna and Rossi.
A (subjective of course) list of greatest drivers would be interesting.
It'd have to exclude all present company of course
and make it merely F1 and LeMans drivers, perhaps? Tim.
Pete McCluskey.
Lifetime Supporter
Tim, one Italian, one Aussie and one Englishman hardly equates to English bias
towards Mansell. He was one of the greats, as was Senna and Rosberg. It was a great era of F1. Btw my pick of the three mentioned is Senna.
towards Mansell. He was one of the greats, as was Senna and Rosberg. It was a great era of F1. Btw my pick of the three mentioned is Senna.
Pete said:
I've had a couple of discussions on this before and found the English in general to be quite strong in their support of Mansell. I thought I'd make a pre-emptive defence. I have a list of drivers in mind but I'm sure I've forgotten a couple of names...
Mansell is not in my list but hey it's all subjective and in the end what does my opinion matter...?
Tim.
I should also add here that I'm no patriot when it comes to F1 etc drivers. I think some of the best Australian drivers over the years have been from New Zealand although I think Kevin Bartlett would have done well with the right kind of support. It was a shame he didn't have more competitive machinery in the F5000 days.
Tim.
Tim.
Last edited:
David Morton
Lifetime Supporter
Le Mans - so many drivers including man ex F1 'has beens' jouneymen have tried (and many failed) at the 24 h.
My list of three at La Sarthe would be Bell, Christensen,and Pescarolo. But watch Mcnish as I think he may grow into the top spot in a few years.
Dave M
My list of three at La Sarthe would be Bell, Christensen,and Pescarolo. But watch Mcnish as I think he may grow into the top spot in a few years.
Dave M
eheh...for me Nigel is at all one of the best of everytime.
WC numbers are against him also cause the too funny Williams pit crew (enetering the legend as mr.Bean acting people...)
He was able to drove and win 10 yrs formula one cars and with his temper was beloved all over the world (think here only beaten by Gilles..).
YouTube - Nigel Mansell tribute
(and now u all will kill me...
):
Senna never dare to race in the infernal american ovals.
The "so-called-boring" superspeedways educated champions as Piquet and too many others in respect that (last one was Montoya..ok he is not a champion btw..), but Nigel won also there
Nigel Nigel Nigel!!!!
Paolo
WC numbers are against him also cause the too funny Williams pit crew (enetering the legend as mr.Bean acting people...)
He was able to drove and win 10 yrs formula one cars and with his temper was beloved all over the world (think here only beaten by Gilles..).
YouTube - Nigel Mansell tribute
(and now u all will kill me...
): Senna never dare to race in the infernal american ovals.
The "so-called-boring" superspeedways educated champions as Piquet and too many others in respect that (last one was Montoya..ok he is not a champion btw..), but Nigel won also there
Nigel Nigel Nigel!!!!
Paolo
I agree Paulo - the Italians certainly know how to get behind a driver and they all got behind Mansell, especially as he took an incredible win in his first Ferrari appearance with a outside move that was pure guts and skill (and not an active component in sight).
The attraction for us "English" was that he was an ordinary bloke from an ordinary background who broke his back and his neck, sold his house and lived in a caravan with so much self belief that he risked all including his life to achieve the top slot. That he was a flawed individual there's no doubt, but he was more like the average joe in the street than anyone else on the grid. There is much to be learned from that level of determination. And, as Paulo points out, 220 mph ovals with manual gearchange and steel brakes are not for the faint hearted either - no-one will ever achieve those back to back championships again.
So, yes, the "English" are very supportive of Mansell just because he was ordinary - and became a winner - and we love an underdog.
The attraction for us "English" was that he was an ordinary bloke from an ordinary background who broke his back and his neck, sold his house and lived in a caravan with so much self belief that he risked all including his life to achieve the top slot. That he was a flawed individual there's no doubt, but he was more like the average joe in the street than anyone else on the grid. There is much to be learned from that level of determination. And, as Paulo points out, 220 mph ovals with manual gearchange and steel brakes are not for the faint hearted either - no-one will ever achieve those back to back championships again.
So, yes, the "English" are very supportive of Mansell just because he was ordinary - and became a winner - and we love an underdog.
Keith,
maybe is this?:
YouTube - Mansell & Berger - Mexico 1990
yep, all that reason make him a TRUE hero, hope maybe to meet him in one of the next Goodwood parade, or that will be another good reason to fly to Man island,where I suppuse he lives today (maybe for TT..)
Paolo
maybe is this?:
YouTube - Mansell & Berger - Mexico 1990
yep, all that reason make him a TRUE hero, hope maybe to meet him in one of the next Goodwood parade, or that will be another good reason to fly to Man island,where I suppuse he lives today (maybe for TT..)
Paolo
I've always been absolutely astounded at the car control and physical driving talent that Mansell has. He has really proven his ability here and there, but I have to say - compared to others - he is not at the top of the list as an all around racer. And the drama queen quality brings him down a rung or two on the ladder in my book too. But this is only relatively speaking. I always did enjoy watching him in the car - incredible skill. Certainly will beat the pants off me with one hand tied behind his back!
kenshiro8 said:Keith,
maybe is this?:
YouTube - Mansell & Berger - Mexico 1990
yep, all that reason make him a TRUE hero, hope maybe to meet him in one of the next Goodwood parade, or that will be another good reason to fly to Man island,where I suppuse he lives today (maybe for TT..)
Paolo
Yep, that's the one Paulo...Grande Cojones......:bow:
Ian Anderson
Lifetime Supporter
I liked his car control at Monaco whenhe blew a tyre about 3 laps from the end and made up a huge amount of time on Senna (I think) but try as he may he could not get past the Wide Brazilian's car!
IAn
IAn
Senna was No1 to me, he got the absolute max out of any car and seized every advantage he could get, yes I believe he stretched sportsmanship a bit at times but hes pure skill and determination made you realise he just wanted to win the race no matter how circumstances might not have gone his way, he would fight all the way to hold on to places. The Monaco race is a typical example, I wonder if the situation was reversed whether Mansell could have held Senna off, I think not.
Donnington in the rain, 5 places in the first lap in a car well under performing compared to the rest of the field, a real lesson in how to take advantage of a situation.
I am a Brit with Italian origins, if Mansell is the King then Senna was a God.......
Donnington in the rain, 5 places in the first lap in a car well under performing compared to the rest of the field, a real lesson in how to take advantage of a situation.
I am a Brit with Italian origins, if Mansell is the King then Senna was a God.......
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