1994 nigel mansell 1st test on his come back to formula 1 brands hatch PART 2

1994 nigel mansell 1st test on his come back to formula 1 brands hatch PART 2.........Return to Formula One

In 1994 Mansell made a Formula One comeback. After the untimely death of Ayrton Senna, he returned to Formula One with Williams replacing rookie David Coulthard for the French Grand Prix and the last three races of the season. Mansell was paid approximately £900,000 per race, compared to Williams' lead driver at the time, Damon Hill being paid £300,000 for the entire season.[15] Mansell's return was helped by Bernie Ecclestone helping unravel his contracts in the United States. It was important for F1 to have a world champion driving that season and they needed Mansell. Mansell wasn't as quick as Damon Hill in race trim but signs that his speed were coming back were evident in Japan during a fantastic battle with the Ferrari of Jean Alesi. Mansell took his final Grand Prix victory, the Australian Grand Prix, which was the final race of the season having out-qualified the two contenders for the title, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher, in the process. The plan was initially for Mansell to protect Hill from Schumacher, but both drivers passed him at the start and eventually collided, handing Schumacher his 1st World Title.

Williams had an option on Mansell's services for 1995 which Mansell was sure they would take. However, Williams opted for youth over experience and hired Coulthard.

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[JessopVTS]

thanks for sharing!!

Enjoyed that.

[kers80bhp]

Thats cool

[gold7y]

He out qualified Michael Schumacher aged 41!

That's what happens when you race against true greats like Prost and Senna. Then F1 became too easy.

[kers80bhp]

it didnt surprise me when he out qualified schumacher he was one of the quickest racers round a single lap & he was from the golden  era of formula one were arguably you had some of the greatest drivers of all time.

[172FORBES]

Great Video - Good Upload...

[kers80bhp]

thanks

[atomicR4GER]

@philrich92 Mansell did not win in france in '94, Schumacher did

[art2000cc]

Is it just me or is he putting on a tad of an american accent?

[cb20051981]

reportage by Murray Walker, obviously...

[philrich92]

I have no doubt that had Sir Frank, the following year, put Nige in the Williams along side Damon instead of Coulthard we would now be looking at Nigel Mansell F1 World Champion 1992,1995 and 1996. He would have made far better use of the very strong Williams Renault FW17 and would have narrowly beaten Schumacher in '95 before going onto dominate the '96 season in the FW18.

[philrich92]

In the race, Mansell got too much wheel spin off the line, allowing Schumacher to get the jump & so as to avoid holding Damon up he went off the racing line at the first corner to let him through. This in turn meant his tyres picked up dirt causing him to run wide and off track three corners later damaging the floor of his car in the process...this then was the cause of his relatively poor pace in the race. However despite this damage he still held off a determined Berger to win on his comeback!

[philrich92]

Both Qualifying sessions were conducted with fresh tyres and enough fuel for one or sometimes two 'hot laps' . Once Qualifying was over the car's set up were completely changed for the race. ie there was no parc ferme conditions! Therefore to suggest Mansell sacrificed his race by racing with a Qualifying set up is quite frankly ridiculous! He outqualified Schumacher fair and square and completely destroyed Hill's time in the same car!

[philrich92]

Dave, you clearly have zero knowledge of Formula One....."Mansell knew he would be outpaced in the race so he went for glory with pole" and "he set up his car like crap for qualifying but had no race pace"??????????? what?

Here is a little education for you. Back in 1994 the race weekend format was a one hour Friday Qualifying followed by a one hour saturday qualifying session with the best time from either session determining the grid slot.

[Suprahampton]

@gold333 Download ie: downforce

[dave41184]

@shoeme69 Well they less dry running seeing as Saturday was washed out by rain. He wasn't required to go flat out as he clearly stated he didn't want to interfere in the championship but would help if he could. Once Hill and Schumacher were out he controlled the race at the front and no one else really got close.

[dave41184]

@shoeme69 Mansell qualified on Pole in Australia beating both Hill and Schumacher (who threw his car off the road in an attempt to beat Mansell's time). Mansell clearly stated he wouldnt obstruct the championship battle (but would help Hill if the chance arose). Suzuka and Adelaide prove he still had the pace