Nigel Mansell

One of only two drivers to hold both the F1 World Championship and the American open-wheel National Championship simultaneously.

Nigel Ernest James Mansell (born 8 August 1953) is a British former racing driver who competed in Formula One. Mansell won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship with Williams, and won 31 Grands Prix across 15 seasons. In American open-wheel racing, Mansell won the IndyCar World Series in 1993 with Newman/Haas Racing, and is one of only two drivers to have simultaneously held both the World Drivers' Championship and the American open-wheel National Championship, alongside Mario Andretti.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Nigel Ernest James Mansell
Born: 8 August 1953
Birthplace: Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, England
Spouse: Roseanne (1975)

Lore & Background

Mansell's career in Formula One spanned 15 seasons, with his final two full seasons of top-level racing being spent in the CART series. He was the reigning F1 champion when he moved to CART, becoming the first person to win the CART title in his debut season, and making him one of only two drivers to have held both the World Drivers' Championship and the American open-wheel National Championship simultaneously (the other being Mario Andretti). Mansell is one of the most successful British Formula One drivers of all time in terms of race wins with 31 victories, and is eighth overall on the Formula One race winners list. He held the record for the most pole positions set in a single season, which was broken by Sebastian Vettel. He was not the last Formula One driver to win a Grand Prix over the age of 40; several drivers, including Juan Manuel Fangio, Jack Brabham, and Luigi Fagioli, have achieved this feat.

Reader's Guide

Mansell raced in the Grand Prix Masters series in 2005, and won the championship title. He later signed a one-off race deal for the Scuderia Ecosse GT race team to drive their number 63 Ferrari F430 GT2 car at Silverstone on 6 May 2007. He has since competed in additional sports car races with his sons Leo and Greg, including the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nigel Mansell?

Nigel Mansell is a British former Formula One driver who competed from 1980 through 1995. He is widely known by his nickname "The Lion" and is regarded as one of the greatest British racers of all time.

What was Nigel Mansell's role at Williams Racing?

Mansell served as a race driver for the Williams team, where he achieved his most celebrated result by claiming the 1992 World Drivers' Championship. His time at Williams represents the peak of his competitive career.

When did Nigel Mansell win the World Drivers' Championship?

He secured the title in 1992 while driving for Williams, a season that cemented his reputation as a global motorsport icon. It was the culmination of his tenure with the British team.