PICS: Mansell drives for BMW at Silverstone.

Three-time British Grand Prix winner, Nigel Mansell got back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car at Silverstone last weekend, when he put on a display within the BMW Sauber team's Pit Lane Park attraction.

Doughnuts and a sea of tyre smoke were the order of the day as Mansell was let loose to thrill the crowds, rekindling memories of his 1992 FIA Formula 1 World Championship triumph and his three Silverstone victories.

"Absolutely awesome!" was Mansell's verdict following his 700bhp thrill-ride. "That took me back. The BMW drives in a similar way to the F1 cars of my era, but the technology advances that have been made since are phenomenal."

Asked how many doughnuts he had completed, he joked: "I lost count, but I had a fantastic time. It's the first time I have driven a Formula 1 car and not had any problems with it!"

The Mansell demonstration was part of an 'Introduction to Formula 1' masterclass that the Formula BMW UK Championship ambassador was putting on for this year's young chargers.

It was the first time he has driven a Formula 1 car since the Regent Street parade event in London in the summer of 2004, when he turned out in a Jordan F1 car.

Following Mansell's demo on the Friday, 1995 British Grand Prix winner, Johnny Herbert and BMW Sauber F1 test driver, Sebastian Vettel took over in the BMW Sauber F1 car as part of the Pit Lane Park attraction, 'a touring theme park' designed to allow fans to get close to the stars and cars and which is now it's third year.