We remember that the 1992 world champion, Nigel Mansell, made his comeback to Williams F1 in 1994, at the end of the year.
The tragedy at Imola and the death of Ayrton Senna led Mansell to become a luxury freelancer for Williams F1, replacing a still too tender David Coulthard. Mansell notably took a pole position in Adelaide, before winning his last success there, also offering the constructors’ title to Williams F1. We know the rest: for 1995, Frank Williams dismissed the old lion to recall Coulthard.
But looking at his end of the year, Mansell was convinced: he was still capable of winning Grands Prix. So he went to knock on the door of McLaren F1. But it all ends in blood sausage.
Mansell was selected but did not start the season: the McLaren F1 was poorly suited to his physique, which was a little more potbellied than in the past! Mansell was sidelined for the first two Grands Prix, and on his return, he qualified behind Mika Hakkinen at Imola. At the following Grand Prix in Barcelona, he retired after 18 laps at the wheel of an F1 car he considered undrivable.
Relations between Ron Dennis and Mansell were also terrible and what had to happen happened: at 42, Mansell left through the back door.
But in reality, Mansell even tried to return to F1, once again, this time with the Jordan team. In December 1996, he carried out private tests in the Jordan-Peugeot and on the clock, did well against Ralf Schumacher (less than three tenths behind him, they say…).
A test that ultimately had no future.
“I really enjoyed my test in Barcelona and the professionalism and atmosphere of the B&H Jordan team – they were as good as in my best experiences with other F1 teams” Mansell declared at the time to explain his non-selection at Jordan.
“Eddie Jordan has created something very special. After seeing their facilities and the 1997 car, I honestly believe the team can be successful next season and become a serious contender. »
“The idea of this test was originally to have fun, but my natural competitive instincts very quickly took over, and a return to Formula 1 with Jordan Grand Prix became a serious possibility. »
“However, after consulting with my family and advisors, I quickly realized that my schedule would not allow me to devote sufficient time to Team Jordan and its sponsors. »
What was Jordan’s view on the Mansell hypothesis this time? Why exclude a world champion who had proven he could still be competitive? Was his age at the time, 43, in question?
“It was an honor to have Nigel in our car and we were very, very impressed with his approach and attitude. I believe Nigel can still win, but I appreciate the honesty of his decision” Jordan said in 1997.
In a recent interview, Eddie Jordan, the former team director, returned, with hindsight, to this idea of a tenure for Mansell. He indicates what, for him, made the difference in the old lion.
“I had known Nigel for a very long time. But there’s one thing about Nigel Mansell: I’ve never met a person as completely convinced of his own abilities as he is – and his talent either didn’t match that belief, or else I didn’t. never been able to see this talent in him. »
“Nigel was – I don’t want to call him a bull, but he was tough. When I say it was a bull, it didn’t seem to have a neck, because its head seemed to be resting on its shoulders! »
“It was at a time when G-forces, neck and G-forces were very difficult to deal with. It was very hard at the time. Nigel Mansell had great confidence in himself. »
“If you can find that inner belief – I’m talking 100 percent – in Nigel’s case… it was probably about 200 percent. But he always believed in himself more than anything else. I think that’s what pushed him to move forward. »
“So, to finish the story, did he drive for Jordan? Yes, we were friends, and he came up and said he wanted to do it. He could see – at this point – that Jordan’s fortunes were changing. »
“The 1997 car was particularly good and we should have won a few Grands Prix with it. We’re not going to talk about it now! »
“But the 1998 car was an excellent car, also in 1999… So there was a little period of prosperity. And Nigel was there. He came to me after Barcelona and said: Listen, EJ, I think my time has passed. I’m in my forties. I don’t want to do this anymore. But this car is a real car. »
Money problems may also have played a role in the decision. Jordan’s sponsor, B&H, was supposed to pay the entire salary of a greedy Mansell. But the world champion’s emoluments would actually have been too high for the team’s sponsor…
Jordan ultimately chose Giancarlo Fisichella to ride alongside Ralf Schumacher. With a Mansell in the yellow car, could the team have achieved more podiums and victories? This will remain an achronacy…
