Nigel Mansell, the 1992 Formula 1 world champion, has etched his name in the annals of British racing alongside iconic figures like Lewis Hamilton, Jim Clark, and Jackie Stewart.
Mansell’s thrilling battles against legends such as Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Nelson Piquet during the golden era of the sport captivated the nation in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
To honour his remarkable performances, including his championship-winning year with the ‘Red 5’ Williams, Sky Sports has produced the documentary “Williams and Mansell: Red 5,” now available on Sky Documentaries and NOW.
In light of Mansell’s prowess during his prime, Sky Sports sought the perspectives of two prominent F1 pundits, Jenson Button and Karun Chandhok, on his greatness and which current drivers most closely resemble the British racing legend in terms of speed and talent.
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“I think in terms of personality there’s only one Nige, there really is,” remarked Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion.
“But I guess in terms of putting it all on the line, probably Charles [Leclerc].
“In qualifying, for example, he puts it all on the line. And, you know, he’s had a few big shunts but I would say he’s probably the most similar in terms of driving style, although their personalities are different.
“I don’t think there are any drivers like Nigel in F1 anymore.”
Karun Chandhok, former F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit, offered his perspective by stating, “To me, I think Fernando and Max [Verstappen] are the two drivers, in some ways, who just push the limits every time they leave the pits.”
Mansell was renowned for pushing his car to the absolute limit from the moment he stepped into it.
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His never-say-die attitude made him a ferocious competitor against some of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
Leclerc and Alonso, with their impressive speed, talent, and unwavering commitment, draw comparisons to Mansell.
However, as Button rightly asserts, there will never be another driver quite like the British racing icon.