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10/02/2025 8:40 am
In 1992 Nigel Mansell became the Formula One driver champion, due to contract dispute with Frank Williams, Nigel Mansell left Williams and moved over to the American CART series with Newman/Haas Racing for the 1993 season driving their 1993 Lola T93/00. Nigel Mansell won the season opening race in Australia. The Lola T93/00 was not as good on the road courses as the Penske chassis but Nigel with good team strategy won the opening race of the 1993 CART season and his first race in CART with Newman/Haas Racing.
Nigel Mansell went on to win four more races in 1993 all on oval tracks. Nigel Mansell crashed hard in practice at the Phoenix race another oval track punching a hole in the wall when he spun in the turn backing into the wall knocking Mansell unconscious and injuring his back receiving a large laceration. This caused Nigel Mansell to miss the 1993 Phoenix race.
Nigel Mansell went on to clinch the CART championship in 1993 making him the reigning Formula One Champion and the reigning CART Champion at the same time, the only driver to ever accomplish this.
Nigel Mansell remained with Newman/Haas for the 1994 season but the Lola chassis had fallen behind the Penske and Reynard chassis and was not as competitive, also 1994 was the year Ayrton Senna died at Imola in the Italian Grand Prix, Bernie Ecclestone due to Senna's death at the end of the CART season bought out Nigel Mansell's Newman/Hass contract to get him back into Formula One. Nigel Mansell Returned to Williams during the season for the French Grand Prix and the final three races of the 1994 Formula One season.
Damon Hill was battling Michael Schumacher for the world title and Nigel Mansell was there to support the Williams team to win the title. In the final race Mansell was told not to be a part of the race, in other words don't interfere with Hill and Schumacher, so Mansell did as the team wanted but Schumacher crashed out both himself and Hill resulting in Schumacher wining the 1994 Formula One title under controversial circumstances.
Nigel Mansell went on to win the final race of the year for Williams after Schumacher crashed himself and Hill out of the race.
Below are Nigel Mansell's 1992 Williams FW14B by Exoto and his 1993 Lola T93/00 by Mini Champs.
10/02/2025 11:40 am
For me, 1992 to 1995 were exceptional years in both Formula 1 and CART with excellent close racing in both series. I was a great fan of Nigel. Thanks for the post, John. I have the models.
Tony Perrone reacted
10/02/2025 11:44 am
I had auditioned for a commercial that was going to feature Nigel Mansell and film somewhere in the Caribbean. Pretty sure it was going to be for Texaco. I was on "first refusal", which essentially means I was picked, purchased my passport because I didn't have one yet, then ended up not getting the commercial. I was so bummed because I would have loved to do that with him.
10/02/2025 4:49 pm
10/02/2025 4:51 pm
I'd completely forgotten about Ecclestone's astute business move of buying out Mansell's contract!
11/02/2025 12:46 am
@david-green I recall that upon retirement Nigel Mansell bought a golf course down in SW England; Dorset or Devon I believe.
11/02/2025 7:01 am
And was ticketed by his own employees!! He was speeding in his souped-up golf cart!@david-green I recall that upon retirement Nigel Mansell bought a golf course down in SW England; Dorset or Devon I believe.
11/02/2025 9:38 am
Hi Jack,
The golf course was in Devon. He did own a sportscar dealership in Dorset. He moved to that area from the Isle of Man after he retired from full time racing. He was a strong golfer and never really stopped racing.
11/02/2025 10:55 am
@perrone1 I sucked up to his management team and got the inside dirt on it.
David Green and Tony Perrone reacted