Nigel Mansell returns for another year as nominee for the Formula 1 category in the Hall of Fame. He’s joined by 11 other nominations who you can find out about on the F1 podcast with Karun Chandhok, Mark Hughes and myself here.
The Grand Prix driver who splits opinion more than any other (bar Lewis Hamilton it would currently seem). Mansell was the fan favourite, though, and he was a proper racer. His nickname, given to him during his time at Ferrari by the tifosi, Il Leone, goes some way to explaining his on-track antics.
The hard-grafter who had a gift for speed is the only man to hold F1 and CART titles at the same time.
Much of his career was marked by a fractious relationship with some of the press who wrote that he spent too much time exaggerating the seriousness of injuries. Nigel has always denied this and for most it simply doesn’t matter – Il Leone deserves a place in the Motor Sport Hall of Fame.
Nationality: British
Teams: Lotus, Williams, Ferrari, McLaren
Grands Prix starts: 187
World Championships: 1
Wins: 31
Podiums: 59
Content from the Archive
Montreal has seen six drivers claim their maiden F1 win at the circuit. Some went on to become the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen. But for others, it would be the highlight of their careers
New statutes for the FIA have been approved, giving current president Mohammed Ben Sulayem the power to bar candidates from running against him
The Aston Martin driver has recovered from surgery in time for the Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian GP arrives Verstappen under pressure, McLaren’s title fight heating up, Ferrari chasing momentum, and the midfield poised for a shake-up on Montreal’s unpredictable circuit