Mansell was such a legend. It's funny talking to younger F1 fans nowadays who see the 1 world championship in a very dominant car, and almost dismiss him as a driver who only won because the stars aligned. But he was so close to being a multiple world champion in an era with Prost, Senna in their absolute primes, not to mention Piquet et al. Mansell is still in the top 10 of overall race winners in F1, garnered in an era of touchy reliability and only 16 races a season. He absolutely was the guy that gave me my love of Formula One.

That livery though ... the mishmash of different sponsors shouldn't work, yet it's one of the best looking cars ever to grace the grid.

The FW14B HAD the BEST Driver for it. Plus Senna AND Prost in 1990 Declined the offer of 2 years deal Frank Williams gave them. Plus Senna had another chance in 1991 to sign for Williams and declined again. Mansell was the only guy to drive the FW14B as it had to be. In 1993 Prost with a way better car and rivals being worst than ever was not even able to Match Nigel's numbers. And Nigel went to Indy and became Champ in his rookie year in 1993 even having a massive shunt. He almost won Indy500 (ended up 3rd) in his first race. That's how good he was. Nigel was a BEAST.

The fail safe was actually the other way around (according to Adrian Newie’s book) If the car dropped onto its belly, it would slide uncontrollably until it hit something. The Williams was designed to jack itself up to full ride hight in the event of a failure. So it would be slow, but still have wheels on the ground

People forget that Mansell had experience of active suspension during his Lotus days. He was pretty opposed to it ( polite version ) because when that one failed, it did things like try to raise the wheels off the track. The Williams "fail safe" was that if one bit failed, it all failed at once so you couldn't continue but it didn't try to kill you.

I recall also Patrese in an interview many years ago lamenting that the FW14B was heavy to drive, and acknowledging that Mansell had more upper body strength than he did. Like yes, the '14B was crazy fast, but people think that anyone could have jumped into it and dominated like Mansell did, and I'm not sure they could. I suppose it's a bit like Alonso in the Renault, or Tommi Makkinen with the Mitsubishi rally cars; dominant _in the right hands_ .

Today, the FW14B remains the definitive F1 car to me from when I was a wee lad mesmerised by Mansell Mania. One of my favourite bits of trivia of the car was that Williams initially kept quiet the fact that it was ~25kg overweight due to shoehorning the active suspension system.

Mansell winning in 1992 was kind of the equivalent of a film director winning the Best Picture Oscar because he was getting on a bit and it was his time, despite having directed better films previously.

It's interesting that the reason Williams still had the red 5 available for Sir Nigel was all thanks to Piquet, as him leaving took the number 1 spot to Lotus and left Williams to keep the 5 and 6 until Mansell returned. Also I imagine Nigel's reasoning for wanting everyting "in writing" was because Piquet came into the team in 1986 with similiar demands which he claimed were only given verbally and never followed up on which led to his temper tantum and quitting the team.

If ever one driver deserved a world title, it was Nige!!!Get in their red 5!!!!

One of my favourite things Honda did in 88 was with their exhaust. The rules at the time restricted turbo cars to only 2.5 bar of boost, but Honda manipulated their exhaust manifolds so their blowoff valves were in a low pressure area, which effectively masked the actual boost pressure. What would look like 2.5 bar could actually be as high as 2.9 (Source: Life of Senna by Tom Rubython)

Now I'm imagining Nigel Mansell cutting a promo in the style of Kurt Angle 😂😂

A magnificent piece of engineering, that finally got Mansell the title he deserved! And yes I'd love a D.A.S video!

Love the story about what Nigel said to Stirling (classic Nigel, classic Stirling). The day of the Hungarian GP when Nigel sealed the title, I was at Silverstone for the classic car festival watching Stirling race. With everyone, including the circuit commentator more interested in what was happening in Hungary.

I remember it well. Mansell was my childhood hero. He has to be on of the greats who was incredibly unlucky. Seeing him win the championship was fantastic. The classic combination of Murray Walker and James Hunt just added to the whole thing. I followed his CART season religiously on ITV. Definitely a driver worth covering more in depth.

The 1992 Williams car is my favourite F1 car ever. Was just beautiful and looked the part.

About Hungary 1992 - It was Brabham's last race, the last race with a single car team, and also featured Hill driving - who also was the FW14B's test driver. The FW14B is an amazing car. Perfect Engine/Chassis/Driver combo.

Remember cheering for Nigel in 91 and then thinking that it was possible for Senna to come back early on in 92. The FW14 B was that dominant in Nigel’s hands that there was never a chance.

Nigel's best was interviewed by Jodie Kidd. :) Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada

Guvnor! It's about time you did a video on "our Nige"!! Thanks!!

Shoutout for the Kurt Angle reference! Oh, it's true...

Watching Mansell race got me interested in F1 as a kid. If luck has been on his side he could have won in '86 & '87 and '91 had the original FW14 been more reliable. He matched Prost in qualifying 8-8 when they were team mates at Ferrari in 1990 (and was on a different level at Silverstone that year) but suffered worse reliability.

Fun fact? Williams was only able to develop their semi-automatic gearbox in 1991 because Mansell had allowed Williams engineers to take apart his Ferrari 641 given to him by Ferrari as thanks for his service to Ferrari as "il Leone." Which is why Mansell hasn't stepped foot in Maranello ever since

I remember this being the first season I started watching F1, right after Mansell had won the title. My first race was Portugal that year, it was the race where Patrese tried to do a 360° backflip over Bergers car. The FW14B was one of my personal favourite looking cars of all time.

Did you know?? Despite the Williams FW15C being seen as the most technically advanced F1 car of its or all time, Williams actually had planned to ditch their own Active Suspension system for 1994 and run the Lotus developed computer system as they felt it was superior to their own. That was until FISA as it was then banned the electronic aids from the start of 1994.

I really enjoy these in depth videos of a relatively small topic. Would love one on the DAS, and an expansion on how the active suspension may - or may not - have impacted 1994. It'll be 30 years this May - maybe as good an occation/excuse as any to go in depth on that one? 30 years. That is a while. And somehow it sometimes still feels fresh.

I saw this car at the Silverstone museum last year, but it still looks amazing and is so clean, no daft fins everywhere.

Nigel, one of the greatest 🏎

was waiting for you to grow a moustache for this.

That Kurt Angle reference. 🤣👌

ngl I LOL'D hard at the Kurt Angle reference.... great vid as always!

Mansell was a great driver. Very aggressive too at times. He was up against some of the best F1 drivers in history. In 92 he had a monster of a car and he was able to wring the best out of it.

Mansell was beaten by Elio De Angelis five years in a row at Lotus. Then he was easily beaten by Keke Rosberg at Williams 1985. How many F1 drivers get a chance to drive a top car after being completely demolished by his teammates six years in a row?

Honestly how do you manage to upload such quality videos so often? Awesome job, quickly becoming my favourite F1 channel!!

I think we all appreciate all the research you do, Aidan, and how you're able to condense a potential 3 hour long video into a manageable quarter of an hour. Our Nige was an absolute beast behind the wheel, and the 'tache complimented his style. I think Seb chose the number 5 because of Mansell.

Loved the Kurt Angle reference... 😁

Saw the Mansell Documentry film 'Mansell & Williams Red 5' @ the Newport Beach Film Festival last year. Awesome film, & I just luv Mansell as a person! Hope this film makes it to the UK!

Nice little Kurt Angle reference at the end 😊

The 91 FW14 should have won the championship too as it was a much better car than the McLaren MP4/6. Unfortunately, reliability is important and when you give Senna 4-wins-in-a-row at the start of the season, good luck catching up. But, Williams almost did exactly that except for a couple of very fortuitous wins for McLaren at Belgium and Hungary that year.

I started watching F1 because of our Nige backin the mid eighties , still believe he carries his cajones in a wheel barrow , gutsy driver who never gave up , big respect

It was amazing for me to see this car a few years ago at the Silverstone Williams celebration running again. Tho Mansell was there but not driving it felt a bit odd seeing it not being ragged around the circuit but being handled rather gently befitting it's historic importance. With the MP4/4 these chassis are two giants of F1 history. I think you are spot on about it totally being a car for aggressive drivers.

I was at the South African race in '92 so I witnessed this car's maiden outing. Qualifying was still two 1.5 hour sessions spread across Friday and Saturday in those days and that was to me the most interesting part of the weekend for me if I'm honest, Williams had clearly been sandbagging in the earlier sessions but when they finally let it loose the car was awesome, knocking whole seconds off the lap times to which Senna had no answer. There are a few things I remember about that weekend to this day, first was how small the cars looked to what I'd expected, I hadn't been to an F1 race since Brands Hatch in the 1970s when the cars looked quite sort of normal, whereas these '92 cars were so small and compact. The 2nd thing I recall is the odd smell that hung over the circuit after each session, not the familiar CastroI smell of race tracks in the '60s and '70s but more a sort of burnt washing powder odour, it was mildly irritating on the eyes too. The 3rd thing was the sound of the Renault V10 engine, sure the V12 Ferrari engine sounded lovely, the Ford in the back of the Lotus was probably the loudest although they were all very loud, but the Renault sounded pure mean, a blend of anger and beauty is how I would describe it, simply awesome sound. I was at the '93 race too which was won by Prost in the Williams, the overtake by Prost on Senna for the lead of the race happened right in front of me, Prost went around him like he was on rails, another unforgettable moment.

He should have been world champion in 1986 as well, if he’d just parked his car across the track in Adelaide….

Nice to see a video about the FW14b where Nigel's abilities are at least acknowledged

Williams had actually signed Alesi for 91/92, but after Mansell decided to retire Ferrari asked him to join them. This left him trying to get out of his Williams deal, which Frank agreed to as long as he got a Ferrari at the end of 91. This arrived, and sat in the Williams museum for years. The 14b was designed for active suspension from the start, but after the rear suspension collapsed when Damon Hill was testing it at Silverstone doing 190MPH. That led to them postponing it till the start of 92

15:47 Sure do appreciated that Kurt Angle reference on a video that's NOT about wrestling. 😭

I have felt for a long time, that one of the biggest contributors to Senna’s crash,was because of the amount that the car s changed due to the stuff being banned.

Mansell had to earn his championship against arguably the greatest drivers there has ever been. Lauda, Senna, Prost, Piquet, and Schumacher were all on the grid in 91 and 92. It makes his achievement all the more satisfying.

My favourite racing driver ever!! I hoped that you would make a video about Nigel Mansell and his World Championship victory in 1992, and thankfully we got one!! Great video, thanks for this.

THOSE ARE THE TRUE WILLIAMS COLOURS

Once again, you put out a video I wish I could've seen a dozen years ago when I was working on a story based on Senna going to Williams in '92. I learned so much from you over the past couple of years that my story would've been so much better had I known what you continue to dig up time after time. Thank you for your content. If I wasn't tight for money, I'd absolutely contribute.

Thanks for doing another video focused on a car! As an engineering student, I love this stuff oh so much. Keep up the great work!

Cheers Aidan. Good job as always mate.

After Mansell's (final) retirement in 1995, he would move to Poland, live in a waxwork museum, and go on a road trip across Europe with the cast of The Grand Tour in 2023. Mansell was tragically killed on this trip, taking an arrow to the skull. RIP our nige.

Fun fact(oid): apparently the car was so 'videogame-y' that Prost couldn't get the feeling for it in 1993 and though yes he won the championship it wasn't as easy as Mansell's 1992. It was said that Mansell was able to get it done cause he didn't have any feeling to get implying he managed to make the car work because he was actually not a good driver so he could leave the car drive itself. The thing about Prost I think I read somewhere. The part about Mansell I'm pretty sure it was Piquet 😂

awesome video Mansell is one of the greats

Mansell is underrated. He wasn't the smartest driver, but he was brave to point of crazy.

Bah gawd its Nigel Mansell and hes got a steel chair. And hes headed straight for Sterling Moss.....

I was lucky enough to see Mansell pre-season testing at Laguna Seca with Newman/Haas. Broke the lap record by the second day (unofficially, by my stopwatch).

Before Nigel, Frank's target was Jean Alesi who had asserted himself as the hottest prospect for the next few years by holding off Sennafor 30+ laps at the 1990 United States GP. Williams and Alesi did agree on a contract in the winter of 1990, but Frank dragged his feet and by the summer Ferrari also came knocking. If what Autosport saying in their video on the Alesi contract saga is true, Williams was also trying to court Senna. By the British GP Alesi was begging Williams to announce him next to Patrese (or Boutsen) with Nelson Piquet telling him to sign with Ferrari if Frank isn't willing to meet the ultimatum. Piquet even went out of his way to help Alesi secure himself a spanky new F40 (which I guess was the one he later sold to fund his son's career). But by the German GP Alesi told journalists that he also got an offer from McLaren (on top of Ken Tyrrell also wanting $1.2M compensation). In the end Alesi did sign with Ferrari, Williams got a hefty compensation (+ one 641 chassis used by Prost which was later displayed in a museum) and were free to sign Mansell.

Mansell was the reason why I got into F1. His tash & his red 5 helped it.

Nige is a legend, it’s true.

I mean I like the “FW-14B” on F1-2013 but the “FA - 92” is just so awsome…..

Jodie Kidd did a great video with Nigel, he does such an honest interview and talks a lot about his injures

I love Ferrari's thinking, " hey that's genius let's copy it ...ohhh we can't build it -hey that's illegal it needs to be banned!!!"

Mansell tested the FW13B and lapped considerably faster than it had ever gone. Patrick Head considers 1990 a wasted year because of it The active worked better the harder you drove it. Mansell would have beaten Prost if he'd stayed

It bewilders me that people claim Mansell only won the 1992 championship because of his car, yet don't apply that same logic to Senna's championship in 1988. (I'm not discrediting either driver here - both were extremely talented and deserved their championship(s). I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy.)

Nigel had every reason to be p*ssed off with Ferrari in 1990. His contract (headhunted & signed personally by Enzo before his death) gave him number 1 status for 1990 (Berger's contract did not allow it for 1989). Something Mansell had been desiring for many years, after first getting screwed by Peter Warr at Lotus after Chapman's death, then seeing the drivers he was competing against (Prost, Senna & Piquet) all enjoy number 1 status. Although to Frank's credit, despite Piquet's number 1 status at Williams he let the two driver's race. If Williams had not screwed up the tyre stratedy in Adelaide and Mansell had won the title in 1986, it would have been the untimate 'not bad for a number two driver'.

still only the second best Williams

You and Peter Windsor are dropping videos about Nigel at the exact same time.

Mansell was someone who deserved to be a three time champion at least. It's a shame 1986 and 1987 got away from him! That Adelaide 86 tyre blowout makes me sad everytime I watch it! 😩 Also at 15:51, now I suddenly have the urge to put someone in an ankle lock!

TL;DR, he was able to go fast because he was hamfisted. Every other driver was constantly feathering the throttle and steering inputs which confused the computers, and Mansell hops in and goes YAAAAY NOISE PEDAL MAKE ZOOM YAYYY

Seriously, do one on the over-powered F2002 and/or F2004.

You’re forgetting that McLaren had a better active suspension and a better car technologically than Williams in 1993. The MP4/8 was better than the FW15C - and the reason why it wasn’t at the front was the older spec Ford HBD7 engine, i.e. down on power. Benneton had the latest spec. That’s why it dominated so well in the rain at Donnington - it wasn’t all Senna talent in that first lap 5 car overtake. That cars systems were unreal.

I had heard the Senna speeding story before, but I've never heard the Mansell/Moss story.

What's Nigel Mansell's favourite painting? The Moaner Lisa

Is Nigel made out of granite and asbestos? Dude won F1 world championship with broken legs, for pete's sake. Also, imagine how terrifyingly fast current cars would be if everyone is allowed to have (at the very least) adaptive suspension and traction control.

Senna been asked if constructors and engineers can drive the car or a race

It's a good video. However the part saying Mansell caused his Canada DNF is pure conspiracy theory. All the top engineers at Williams at the time have been asked multiple times and they all refute it.

Mansell should have had 10 wins, but got nerfed out by Senna in Adelaide.

1992 to 1993 - Williams and McLaren perfect Active Suspension and other gizmos. Ferrari can't get theirs to work so complain to the FIA who then ban it 1997 - McLaren spend £50 on adding a 2nd break pedal. Ferrari can't get it to work so complain to the FIA who then ban it FIA = Ferrari International Assistance

Does anyone else miss the old numbering system. To me Ferrari should always be 27 and 28 .

As someone that started watching F1 in 1996, it would be interesting to hear you expand upon what you said at the end of the video about the banning of active suspension possibly contributing to the events of the 1994 season.

A lovely bit of paraphrasing Stone Cold Steve Austin at the end there!

So if Mansell would break some sort of bone each season, he would win the championship every time? (I know this is a stupid theory based on coincidence, but let the man dream)

Can it be that you repeat yourself at 12:48?

With a mustache like that - well, he had to have had an edge on the competition. The eyebrows were just salt in the wound.

I have flagged this video as inappropriate (pornography). Just kidding. Aiden I hope you can read this, the images you came up for this one are smashing. Edit: Until we got to the X-rays of Mansell's legs. Jesus wept.

McLaren downfall after 1991 needs to be covered as well

Mansell was a really good driver but never in the same category as Prost/Senna/Lauda/Piquet/Schumacher/Hamilton. He had arguably the the best car in three seasons 86/87/92 and yet only achieved one WDC. He also demanded #1, and hid information from his teammate Patrese and his race engineer (Paddy Lowe has told this story). Better than most other single WDC, but not one of the greats IMO

Hey Aidan I know I rage at you a lot but I hope you're okay. Not sure if ts a lighting thing or what, but you look a bit sick. Not trying to bully you (for once) Just get well soon? Maybe look at your white balance settings on your camera.

I never know if I treat it as a title or not. The car was so hilariously dominant, and required so little driving, it was a given. (see also Prost in 93, or Senna in 88, most of Lewis' etc)

Xray?!

after this, Frank was too cheap to pay mansell. this began the slow decline of wiiliams into a permanent backers and last place team.the decline accelerated when frank was too cheap give newey part ownership in the team.

Mansell & Senna in the same team would never have worked in terms of atmosphere. It would have been worse than Prost & Senna.

McLarens had 27 and 28????? Istg it was 7 and 8.

A team that races in red and is based in Italy you say? Got to be Dallara then...

Active suspension Legal Williams ban 1994 Mercedes Das Ban Hamilton

You & your What Culture references Aidan! 🤣🤣 Adam Blampied in disguise (nah u treat women way better than him!)

🇨🇦 Aidan, I was very interested in your pointing out the McLaren MP4/4's creation of a better seating position/angle for the driver. Consider a video showing the seating position of drivers in racing, and its evolution, and exactly how uncomfortable it is to ride in a Formula 1 car. This year Alex Albon, during a live Sky interview, was spotted with bleeding on the back of his white Williams shirt.🏥 He said that this is common because of the tightness of the seatbelts, that the tension is so hard that it seems to tear apart the skin. It looks painful, and he said it takes about a week or two to heal, adding that racing every week can be a problem. He can't be the only one this is happening too. Do you know anything more about this?🫣🤔🏥