Nigel Mansell, known as “The Lion” for his aggressive and fearless driving style, is a legendary British racer who achieved the rare feat of winning both the Formula One World Championship (1992) and the CART IndyCar World Series (1993) in back-to-back years. His journey to the top was defined by extreme resilience; he famously sold his house and belongings to fund his early career and returned to racing multiple times after suffering near-paralysing neck and back injuries. In Formula One, he became an icon of the sport as “Red 5,” securing 31 Grand Prix victories and overcoming years of “nearly-man” heartbreak—including a spectacular tyre blowout in 1986—to finally dominate the 1992 season with Williams-Renault. Beyond his on-track heroics, Mansell was a two-time BBC Sports Personality of the Year and remains a beloved figure for his “win-or-bust” mentality and dramatic flair.
Senna VS Mansell 1992
In 1992, Nigel Mansell delivered one of the most dominant seasons in Formula One history driving the technologically “other-worldly” Williams-Renault FW14B. He became the first driver to win the opening five races of a season and eventually set then-records for the most wins (9) and pole positions (14) in a single year. His championship was so decisive that he clinched the title at the Hungarian Grand Prix on 16 August 1992, with five races still remaining in the calendar. One of the season’s highlights was his “Grand Chelem” at the British Grand Prix, where he secured pole, the fastest lap, and the win, leading to a famous track invasion by “Mansell Mania” fans that forced him to abandon his car and hitch a lift back to the pits in a van.
The Legendary Rivalry with Ayrton Senna
The relationship between Mansell and Ayrton Senna was defined by intense on-track battles and a complex mutual respect. Their rivalry produced some of the sport’s most iconic imagery:
The “F1 Taxi” (1991): After winning the British GP, Mansell stopped his victory lap to give a stranded Senna a lift back to the pits on his sidepod—a rare display of sportsmanship between fierce competitors.
The Monaco Duel (1992): In one of F1’s most famous finishes, Mansell hunted down Senna on fresh tyres in the final laps. Despite being significantly faster, Mansell could not find a way past Senna’s masterful defensive driving, losing by just 0.2 seconds.
Physical Confrontations: Their rivalry wasn’t always polite; after a collision at the 1987 Belgian GP, a furious Mansell reportedly grabbed Senna by the overalls in the pits and pushed him against a wall.
Final Respect: Despite their “red mist” moments, the two eventually developed a deep friendship. On the 1992 podium where Mansell was crowned champion, Senna reportedly told him, “Now you know why I’m such a b*****d, because it’s such a good feeling”.