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Q&A: Nigel Mansell - EXCLUSIVE.

Wednesday, 8th August 2007

Nigel Mansell offers up his experience, advice - and competitive nature - during the final Mansell Masterclass of 2007.

Nigel Mansell played host to the final ‘Mansell Masterclass’ of 2007 for Formula BMW UK, the 1992 Formula 1 World Champion offering up his wealth of experience and advice – as well as revealing he still has what it takes on the karting track too…

Crash.net:
This is going to be your final ‘Mansell Masterclass’, what exactly are you going to be doing with the Formula BMW UK drivers over the course of the day?

Nigel Mansell:
I think the wonderful thing is to give the drivers a chance to feel comfortable and have an enjoyable day, as well as learn something. I want to try and give them information that might help them in their independent careers, where they can make some better choices and have more maturity. I am excited by what we will be doing at the race track this afternoon, so they can have a blast and we can go out and have fun, which is what it is all about too.

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Crash.net:
Heading into the final few races of the season, what sort of advice can you pass on to the drivers before they move on and up through the ranks next year?

NM:
I think the most important thing is that race is not won in the first corner or on the first lap, but a race can be lost in the first corner and on the first lap. A DNF shouldn’t come into the equation. They should all respect and give each other enough room to have a good race. The races are long enough and if you are quick enough then you will be able to pass. I want to let the drivers know today how important that is. I would like to see a new crop of drivers come through the ranks to drive with great strength and dogged determination, but to also have respect for themselves, the cars and the other drivers. The sport will get a better name that way and the officials will congratulate the drivers because the sport is fantastic but it is spoilt by a minority of drivers who think they are driving dodgem cars.

Crash.net:
A look at the likes of Sebastian Vettel, only 20-years old and already in Formula 1, and to a lesser extent perhaps Lewis Hamilton, shows that young drivers have a great opportunity to reach the pinnacle of the sport at an exceptionally young age, Is there more pressure on the drivers to aim high early on?

NM:
I think Lewis Hamilton is an exception in that he has been groomed from a very early age and he has had a budget that has been second to none. Plus he has always been placed in the best teams, so for me that is not the norm. Sebastian has tremendous support too and although he is a great driver, that too isn’t really the norm. He is a good example that you don’t have to win consistently to get the opportunity. He obviously has the talent which has been seen by a number of people and some supporters in very high places that have afforded him to be doing what he is doing in Formula 1. I feel as long as you reach Formula 1 by 27, 28 or even 29-years-old if you are good, you can still make it. Drivers are breaking into it younger, but I don’t think that is the norm really,

Crash.net:
Who has stood out for you most in Formula BMW this year?

NM:
I think without any exception, Josef Kral has come in strong and is leading the championship by just a few points from Henry Arundel. Henry of course is the reigning rookie champion and is up there this year. Henry Surtees is doing well, as well as Marcus Ericsson. He has done exceptionally well as a rookie. There is a lot of talent in Formula BMW and it will be interesting to see how the championship unfolds with only a few races left.

Crash.net:
Looking at the success of Niall Breen, as well as your sons Greg and Leo, in Formula 3 this year having raced in Formula BMW in 2006, is the series being taken more seriously by teams further up the sporting ladder?

NM:
It should be. Niall Breen has done exceptionally well, Sam Bird has and even Greg has got a podium. I think BMW has provided one of the best groundings you can have on the race track, but most importantly for me, off the race track. What BMW have afforded the opportunity for the drivers to do is so important, which is why I am delighted to have this Masterclass here at Woodbury Park because we can help them understand things just a bit better. So if one driver goes away knowing that there is something they can do a bit better, then it is a big success.

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