Comments on: The two sides of Mansell

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:08:23 +0000

I don’t know whether I would like to share a long flight with Mansell – probably not, but then I would probably say the same about most drivers. However I’ve never understood why the dislike of the man should result in the need to denigrate his abilities as a driver, which is invariably where these kind of articles tend to lead. As a paying spectator and viewer for the last 30 years I would say that Mansell provided more “racing” than most drivers during the period and, to be blunt I don’t really “get” the view that he was not worthy of comparison with the best of his peers, unless I was watching different races to everyone else. Was he ultimately as good as Senna or, more contentiously, Prost? Possibly not, but watching those races I can’t see how you can come to any other conclusion than that he was damn close.
To Nigel Roebuck – I love your articles and your appreciation of great drivers and characters and I tend to share your “heroes”. However I’ve always thought your dislike of Mansell the man has resulted in a “blind spot” as regards your consideration of his place as in the ranking of great drivers. Thank God Gilles didn’t have a moustache and a Brummy accent!! (OK – get off may case I’m only joking)

From a purist perspective I also have to say I also dont remember him intentionally driving another competitor off the track a la Senna, Schumacher and, these days, Vettel etc.

By: Chris Mabon

Chris Mabon — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:48:31 +0000

Dear Nigel,
Do I not recall at the Goodwood FoS a couple of years ago Mr Mansell falling off The Hill at Molecomb Corner? Apparantly the mechanics had not told him the rear wing had been adjusted!!!

Kind regards

By: Les Mellor

Les Mellor — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:26:13 +0000

It is so good to hear an honest and personal summary of a driver without the politically correct soothing language.
Maybe be in summary : He was a good on his day but right up himself.

Les Mellor, Australia.

By: bede philips

bede philips — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:04:36 +0000

Nigel was an all out driver, very enjoyable to watch on his day. however, i must agree with a comment in Nigel Roebucks book `Chasing The Title` in which he noted that Nigel Mansell ” had new problems flown in daily”. Very funny, but also seemingly true. i refer to Mansells recent comment that Lewis Hamiltons 2008 championship win amounted to only 80% of his own 1992 title, due to having less cars on the starting grid. i would offer that with the car advantage that Mansell had that year, especially in comparison to the closeness of last years championship (last race, last lap, last corner etc) that, irrespective of the size of the field, nigels championship was worth only 75% of Lewis Hamiltons first world title..

By: Hedley Thomas

Hedley Thomas — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:00:14 +0000

Dear Nigel,
I think we’re all agreed that Mansell was a PR disaster, had a massive chip on his shoulder and was generally disliked by the motor sport purists, but loved by the “masses”.
However he embodied passion and determination as his ability to bounce back from several injuries during his career testifies.
It’s a shame that he is remembered for the one “easy” World Championship using a vastly superior car.
But for a blown tyre, a loose wheel nut he could have won 3 more championships which instead went to his 3 nemeses – Prost(1986), Piquet(1987) and Senna(1991).
Would winning 4 championships have rid Mansell of his terrible inferiority complex and made him a more relaxed individual and would we now remember him as the British Motor Racing Hero that he aspired to be.

By: patrick

patrick — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:15:01 +0000

Nigel Mansell gave us some of the best overtaking ever, remember Piquet at Stowe, Senna on the straight in Spain and Berger on the outside line at peralta curva Mexico. Balls of steel and a character to go with it, bless him!

By: peter whybrow

peter whybrow — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:15:51 +0000

Dear Nigel,
Agree with you, but what used to annoy me was that he always seemed to appear utterly exhausted at the end of a race with a sort of “look at me, look at what I’ve done, despite…”!

By: Peter Eccles

Peter Eccles — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:04:07 +0000

Dear Nigel
I think you have almost got Mansell right. His biggest problem was he was a “balls out” racer and not a politician. He was the only driver that was not intimidated by Senna.
His attitude and flat midlands accent did him no favours at press conferences.
He was not a natural driver in the Fangio,Moss,Clark, Prost mould and had more in common with Graham Hill (without the wicked humour!).
He was still one of our very best drivers and was not afraid to drive saloons, TVR’s Masters etc. Very good but not great.

By: Carl Forshage

Carl Forshage — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:39:51 +0000

Dear Nigel,

I agree with your assesment entirley – but you omitted what a great actor he was – and if not an actor at least a drama queen.

By: David Boote

David Boote — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:16:52 +0000

Dear Nigel,
I think your thoughts sum up Nigel Mansell perfectly. If he could have let his driving do the talking he would have been appreciated far more by his peers and by the media. He semed to me to have a massive inferiority complex which he could only overcome by “talking up” his achievments and blaming everyone else for his failures. A tactic that seemed to convince only the none-motorsport press and the jingoistic fans. A pity because on his day he could drive a racing car faster than many.