Nigel Mansell - "F1 fans are everything" By Peter Windsor

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On-line from Florida, USA, 1992 F1 World Champion, Nigel Mansell, CBE, catches up with Peter Windsor. To the background of Silverstone possibly staging the British GP behind closed doors in two months' time, Peter asks Nigel if he could have driven to his epic 1987 British GP win in front of empty grandstands. Peter also questions Nigel about the current lockdown and how we should handle its easing; about which current drivers he would select if he was running his own team; and which driver today best captures the way he went about the business of winning in F1.
All photos: copyright the Peter Windsor Collection (Clarksport Ltd) and Diego Merino (paddock shots, Barcelona, 1992)
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[@johnmcconville6055]

I have been watching re-runs of those great races with Nigel,Ayrton,Alain,and all the great drivers of that time.Also Murray Walker and James Hunt on the commentary.Fantastic stuff.

[@peterwindsor]

Yes, James was superb. I'll never forget him falling out of the Marlboro motorhome on race day at Imola, 1980. He'd never raced there and had spent all weekend soaking up the atmosphere inside the motorhome. So when it was time to join Murray in the commentary box he had no idea in which direction to turn. "Where are the pits here?" he asked, even as the grid was forming up....

[@bodieofci5418]

Nigel was thrilling to watch and a class act out of the car. Legend.

[@thpark8189]

I was at Silverstone in 1987 and saw Nigel overtake Piquet. One of the best and most memorable days of my life. I used to love watching Nigel race. My best wishes to both Nigel and Peter.

[@peterwilkinson2912]

what a fabulous interview Peter. as someone who recently had to bear one of these webcam funerals, I completely empathise with Nigel’s hurt. great photos in the interview. What a brilliant, exciting driver he was. A truly great sportsman.

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks. Very kind.

[@alexlamas6324]

I am and always have been a McLaren fan since I was child and Senna was my guy during Nigel's time but still I always loved and respected Nigel especially when he was at Williams (my 2nd favorite team in the 80's). Thanks for this interview Peter, That was awesome!

[@alexlamas6324]

So sorry for Nigel Mansell's family.

[@sqd8r]

lol, true

[@hmc2s]

All I can say is Good old Nige. I still have my union jack with his name across it in my garage from the good old days.

[@johnhassall1782]

I've still got my union jack vest from 91,,, doesn't fit me now lol 😂

[@tezza747]

My favourite driver. Good to see him looking well and healthy. God bless his family.

[@robsvibe]

Condolences Nigel. You are a good man.

[@andybliss6538]

Always had a lot of time for Nigel, who found the time to speak to a spotty 16 year old many years ago (me) when he’d just signed his first Lotus contract when so many other people wanted a bit if his time. What a star and a lovely man.

[@aussiebloke609]

One of the last gentleman racers, in my book. Always a favourite. Shame about the moustache, but at least he still has his famous eyebrows!

[@IntrinsicPalomides]

Pretty sure a black and decker couldn't remove those things :D

[@stuartmarshall7099]

Gentlemen? He was a warrior

[@aussiebloke609]

Not6hing says he can't be both. And he was.

[@skybear3530]

@@stuartmarshall7099 a Lion in his heart ;)

[@shivakumar-yt5dc]

Absolutely pure gentleman , true warrior , probably only racer senna knew he wasn't intimated .

[@evilzzzability]

Nigel always speaks highly of current drivers. Great racer, one of the giants of the sport in an era where that many drivers of today would not have gotten out of.

[@johnashton2816]

Sorry for your loss Nigel,I really wish you was still racing theres no characters like you in f1 now really enjoyed your determination to win while racing .

[@officialWWM]

john ashton I disagree. There are some wonderful characters on the scene today!

[@johnashton2816]

@@officialWWM just my point of view ,nige would give interviews anytime and autographs at races these days you cant get anywhere near the drivers and what you pay for tickets you should be able to,perhaps to say none was a bit strong danny rick great lad ,kimi raikkonen interviews its like drawing teeth schumacher no interviews while at ferrari lewis if its not gone his way dont get much out of him even though im a lewis fan

[@officialWWM]

john ashton Danny Ric, Lando, Carlos...great personalities. Your right about some of the others, although, I love Kimis style. I think the problem is these days, F1 is just a huge machine and there are many demands on drivers over a weekend, it doesn't leave much time for the fans :/

[@johnashton2816]

@@officialWWM exactly all revolves around money these days but they forget its the fans that buy the tickets some time should be allowed for them ,without them its all over

[@officialWWM]

john ashton agreed. I've been to 5 Melbourne GPS and I've never seen ANY driver, lol!

[@alexlamas6324]

The one thing I remember about Nigel Mansell (other than his fantastic wins, who could forget the '86 British GP) was when shunted he walked away really hurt. You saw the pain on his face and him limping away.

[@6058jeremysmith]

Pure legend Mr Nigel Mansell.......Thank you Peter you are the best !!

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks Jeremy. Much appreciated.

[@rickyprice7586]

Red 5 the legend

[@danigonzalez4299]

@k halliday Sorry here but you say Nigel never was fit and you are 100% wrong. There is footage that shown how did he worked out at home, and he was really fit. Specially in 1992. So please, do not lie.

[@chrisfuell2774]

Balls of steel!, Mr Mansell.

[@elmadi7391]

Thank you very much Peter for posting Nigel Mansell 🙏 What a great driver ! I follow Nigel’s racing in the 80’’s until his retirement

[@bigg1764]

Great interview love see Nigel again one of the greats.

[@RhythmicEye]

Nigel Manuel is a very good man. Champions don’t just win races.

[@robgraham5016]

Thank-you so much Peter - I was and still am a huge Nigel fan! I understand his point, that Formula 1 is very minor, with respect to what's going on in the world, but on the other hand, we all need something to lift up our spirits in these very depressing times! I myself have outrageous F1 FEVER! I miss it so much that I'm even watching former F1 drivers E-racing FFS! I NEED MY F1 FIX and I hope (even without an audience) we can get something to cheer about and cheer ourselves up!

[@ReclusiveDuck]

It was Mansell's famous tyre failure in 86 that ignited my interest in F1 so I'll always have a real soft spot for him. Definitely not a PR robot and that's why we loved him...Oh, and also because he was an absolute nutter behind the wheel!

[@tonypap1]

Great to see both these guys and great mates from the golden age of F1 looking so well. 😊❤️️ My first ever GP was Silverstone 1987. Stood at Maggots Curve. What a day ❤️️

[@CJFGormally]

Condolences to Nigel and his family at these awful times. A very genuine, likable and polite bloke; I had the pleasure of meeting him a few years ago at a book signing and he had time for every person there (I queued for at least 2 hours in a LONG queue.) He wouldn't rush and spent time chatting to anyone and everyone. I felt, and still feel, very lucky to have met my all-time F1 favourite. What a top interview Peter; I couldn't agree more that as much as we all love F1, it's of no significance at all when we're living through such turbulent times. Hopefully things return to some form of normal sooner rather than later.

[@badgastein2]

Yes - I interupted Nigel on the golf course to sign his auto biography - he was a perfect gentleman and was pleased to sign the book.

[@mattharte7334]

Great interview and I am sorry to see Nigel looking so down but it's understandable. Apart from his incredible speed I will always remember him as the bravest racing driver of his era. I have huge respect for Nigel Mansell, he does a lot of great work for charity also.

[@thejudge-kv2jk]

Legend. My favourite driver!

[@grahamebrushett6642]

Sorry for your loss, A Gent and a driver that should have been a 3-time world champion, Not someone else.

[@kekepiket9153]

Could have, should have, would have, hhahahaha 🤣🤣🤣

[@stevens2772]

Fantastic as always Peter, wonderful interview.....my condolences for your family Nigel. Stay safe guys....btw great comments Nige!

[@kkuenzel56]

What a great man! Nige was responsible for some of the most exciting F1 racing of our time!

[@zororosario]

The two best drivers in the two best cars☺️ Yes for sure Nigel called it the way it is.

[@handsolo1209]

I personally think Hamilton vs Alonso would be the titanic battle.

[@ukpitts]

Great content Peter. Some wise words from Nigel.

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks!

[@robbiesampson5399]

Red 5 Nige my all time hero . My first F1 that i went to was Silverstone 1991 that you won! Such an amazing time that i will never forget. My most precious F1 photo i ever took was of you on the cool down lap at Copse corner . we all broke through the fencing to see you on that slow down lap . It still is the best F1 experiance iv ever had and iv been to many races since . Red 5 the best ever

[@pranavarajravikumar]

Amazing interview. Please do such interviews in the future.

[@foremasp]

I for one would like to race. If Formula One has worked out a way to put on the spectacle with an acceptable level of risk for those there, than hell yeah I’m in. F1 needs the ad revenue, team owners need sponsorship dollars, the factory employees need their jobs and I need something to look forward too! There will never be a good time to begin racing, until we do! Nigel, so sorry to hear of your family members’ passing, god that’s terrible, I will be thinking of you. Hope everyone reading my comment is looking after themselves and those close to them. To you all, nothing but the best! Scott

[@officialWWM]

Ironic that the drivers will risk their lives at 300kph but can't risk them catching a virus :/

[@johnhassall1782]

What a guy,,, great interview Peter,,, total humility,,,, il never forget Silverstone 91,,,,,every lap was like being at Stretford end when man u scored!!! The whole place erupted when we caught a glimpse of nige in the garage,,, just great memories!

[@timheidel5849]

One of my favorites...

[@jamesavickers5961]

Excellent interview with nige really great grazie ciao

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks.

[@andrewpante6047]

Always great to hear Nigel . Great racer , great man . Wish he dove against Alain in 93 as he would’ve beaten him .

[@andrewdonald2770]

Thanks Peter, lovely to hear from Nigel. Some very sounds opinions from the great racer - F1 will do well to listen to him.

[@massimilianobelloni237]

Il leone!

[@AmericasChoice]

Nigel had the biggest heart of any F1 driver since Fangio. Lionhearted.

[@winnietito]

txs Nigel nice to listen to you!

[@Jackbyrne77]

Great interview Peter. Always great to hear Nigel talk so candidly about the state of @F1 Can’t help but feel he’s not that happy with how the sport currently is and who could blame him.

[@OfflineSetup]

As ever a great interview from Peter . Sorry to hear of Nigels loss, especially during this time.

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks.

[@andrewstorm8240]

Great one

[@MsMiguelibarra]

Thanks!!!

[@sen5908]

Nigel if you read this, you in my opinion where the greatest driver in your generation, my first ever race was at Silverstone in 92, stormed the track at the end at club corner, every time I went there after 92 it was never the same, if I could swap you with Lewis Hamilton I would do it in a heartbeat, exceptional F1 driver, and indycar driver also, stay healthy and stay safe, let's see more of you when the F1 season starts again 👍👍

[@giannipassalacqua9755]

I loved watching him chase down his rival's, long live the lion!

[@manuelvikingo7668]

BEST DRIVER EVER

[@Tugboatpb]

I love you Nigel, stay safe good Sir.

[@justdoit8014]

This kids don’t understand what kind of era was the 80s era and why the best of that era is the GOAT.

[@shivakumar-yt5dc]

True bro. 80s era was most brutal. Every racer was legend on own ways. Its very sad Aryan senna died the way , I could nt resist his great impact on sport, humanity cause outside track he did

[@Brusselpicker]

You may say that, the 50s 60s and 70s were just as exciting, dangerous and filled with great names many of which can be considered contenders for the greatest of all time. Fangio, Villeneuve, Stewart, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Moss .... Its a bloody long list and I've only just started.

[@justdoit8014]

Brusselpicker from your list only Fangio...

[@Brusselpicker]

@@justdoit8014 you actually have no idea of the history of F1, take Jim Clark he had a 6 year career, why? Because in the sixties if you made one mistake you were dead or seriously injured, racing cars with 400hp on motorcycle wheels and drum brakes. However Clark is considered to be one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, Moss was considered a racing genius before his head injury and coma. F1 history is littered with great drivers many of whom gave their lives before they could enjoy the 15 year careers of modern drivers and drove vehicles a current F1 driver wouldn't even dare to get into.

[@justdoit8014]

Brusselpicker First of all: you didn’t include Clark, so you will have to read your own comment first to understand to what I replied. Second, please don’t start sentence with that history thing like “you don’t know about racing and history” because it represents that arrogant and snobby way of communication. I know a lot about the racing, I don’t consider any of the current driver on the same level of Prost,Senna, Mansell, Piquet, Lauda, Villeneuve but definitely Senna was the best and most gifted driver ever. Senna was voted the best by: Hunt, Jody S., Fittipaldi, Jones, Hakinnen, Coulthard, Lauda, Schumacher, Watson, Brundle, Berger, Patrese, Moss, Blundle, Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel, Massa, Barichello and even Fangio said that Senna is the best... So they know better than anybody! Cheers

[@darklordxxx]

my deepest condolences to you sir , you are a class act be safe .

[@janabella8schneider462]

Pardon, why I'm sorry, why do you bring condolences, something happened? In his family , or?..(

[@AndyHudson-ModelRailwayBuilds]

For me the best F1 drivers of all time, the biggest mistake he made was going to Indy Car in 93, he would have left Prost behind, would have been faster in the FW15. Williams should have signed Nigel for the 1995 season, Damon Hill would have benefited from another season with Nigel's calming influence and wisdom

[@SomeYouTubeGuy]

Williams weren't keeping drivers through the 90's. For some inexplicable reason they got their championships then booted them out. Hence Damon ending up in the midfield

[@AndyHudson-ModelRailwayBuilds]

Nathaniel Offer Nigel didn’t want Prost as a team mate and Renault pressured Williams to bring back Prost, and I think Damon left due to wage demands

[@vtv8man]

Williams and the team hated Mansell. They preferred Piquet and others at the time...

[@neilburrells9985]

Thank you for a great interview Peter! Condolences to the Mansell family, it's a difficult time. Does anyone know if Nigel keeps in touch with any of his F1 compatriots such as Piquet (they had become friends), Prost, Frank Williams, etc? I often wonder if Nigel & Ayrton would have been friendly post racing?

[@will4may175]

Havent heard from Mansell for a long time, his personality is missed on the grid, glad to see his eyebrows still going strong :P I loved watching him over the years, even followed him when he went to Indy, winning his debute season was adrenaline inducing watching it unfold live. He is right about it not being viable to start this seasons F1 yet, I would love to see it happen, but realistically this year should be written off and start fresh next year, assuming this virus has been sorted by then, I know the smaller teams are probably going to struggle or disappear because of money, but its the same for millions of businesses around the world, sad but true.

[@timwhiskerd2133]

Great stuff .

[@timwhiskerd2133]

I should have said great stuff, but Im very sorry to hear that Nigels family / friends have suffered from this terrible situation.

[@danigonzalez4299]

Thansk Peter. Condolences to Nigel. Nigel always speaks clear and loud. So yeah I was also believing about SV going to Mercedes and how much fun will that be! Long live to one of the Best Drivers Ever! And the most aggressive driver ever to be seen in F1. A true Legend of the sport. Massively underrated in favour of super overrrated others (brazil and so on), but the ones who lived and watched those days know who were this drivers and the value they had, they have and they will still have. No doubt. Btw Peter last year's at Monaco Press Room I've seen you and wanted to pass by and say hello as I never got the pleasure to even say hello, but when I was free you were busy and then I lost my chance! I really wanted to get a picture with you thought.

[@david-joeklotz9558]

Thanks for the interview. Always a Mansell fan. I thought he'd answer your question with Verstappen :-] I was surprised to see him in the US. It seems that's where former British F1 drivers go live. But I thought he'd be in the Isle of Man

[@stuartmarshall7099]

Gone for the warmth maybe? Barry Sheene lived in Australia because the warmer weather made his old injuries bearable.

[@david-joeklotz9558]

Stuart Marshall In Mansell’s case perhaps. But German drivers and French drivers for example don’t seem to

[@peterwindsor]

Florida. Sunshine. Golf.

[@officialWWM]

peterwindsor hurricanes...

[@david-joeklotz9558]

peterwindsor Incredible golf courses and Nigel Mansell loves golf

[@RhythmicEye]

Nigel is absolutely spot on, we are not being told the truth.

[@williamtynan6484]

Nigel, a true Champion, legend behind the wheel, got more out of lesser cars than anyone else ...

[@Jdn19]

What a legend

[@zeehag]

condolences to nigel and family. still love nigel.. gentleman and carpilot

[@samjep2]

Great video

[@peterwindsor]

thanks!

[@user-nb4gb7th1z]

私の永遠のヒーロー！マンセルさんに会ってみたい🏎

[@minatormyth]

One of the best interviews yet from this great man..by another great man🤗 On a side note I concur with his opinion as to we are not being told the truth about the virus. Great to see him caring about people who will and have lost there jobs ( like my self). This man....Thank you Nigel respect to you sir🤗

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks.

[@stevenwalshe5606]

Wowtastic 😎🇮🇪

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Good interview. Very sobering. I tend to agree with him about the virus. It might be with us for a while.

[@justdoit8014]

Leclerc vs Verstappen will be similar rivalry to Senna vs Prost.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I would never suggest that Mansell was the best driver of all time (he probably wasn't even the best driver of his own time), but he is my favorite driver of all time. I think he got more out of his talent than probably any other driver has been able to.

[@ianfrench1577]

Peter is there any chance you can ask Nigel some Indycar related questions on your next interview? Nigel still has a Florida home and therefore is still at the heart of American Open Wheel Racing. Can you ask him if he ever goes to the Indycar races, or watches them on TV? If the answer is no, then would he ever revisit an Indycar race? Also, does he ever keep in touch with any of the Indycar drivers he ran against from 93 & 94?

[@steveselasky1719]

Great interview. Do you think we will ever get to 26 cars on the grid?

[@FrontSideBus]

Peter, please ask Nigel to grow his stache back!

[@peterwindsor]

I'll leave that to you!

[@SNIFFMYBADGER]

he has, they spit into two and they've crawled up above his eyes

[@andrewmeadows2596]

The most under rated f1 driver ever. Dont talk crap about only getting a title in 92 because the car was the class of the field. Any f1 driver with a title had the best car. It was just rewards for his bad luck in 86. Some of his drives for Ferrari were epic.

[@peterwindsor]

Yeah. How about Imola, when Berger had him off on the straight? Nigel did a 360 on the grass, then set fastest lap a few minutes later....

[@BillSidorvich]

Great video with two great gentlemen- love the perspective and wholeheartedly agree- thank you 👍

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks. Very kind.

[@511dydy]

What amazing eyebrows

[@jonnybee8812]

Very good point of view, one that should be considered by every team every sensible person connected to this sport. A tough call but start again in 2021 with a different game plan and lower budgets back with a 26 grid of cars different set of tech rules so it gives everyone a chance instead of making an exclusive members club. I bet Bernie is laughing his socks off now. The laugh for him is better than his liberty bonus.

[@thiscocks]

Agree about 26 car grid.

[@businessjetguru1298]

Public demand for sports is voracious. I’m not a fan of opening-up, too early, but I can see that millions of fans are becoming so frustrated out of boredom, and frustration at being confined. If sports can resume, safely, it makes sense to try and offer an alternative to the grind of death and economic hardship. Nigel Mansell is a wealthy retiree. With respect, he really doesn’t need any distractions, if the worst he has to deal with is two golf courses where he is unable to touch the flags. Not a major hardship, eh?

[@andrewferguson3535]

That was brilliant thank you Peter. That was great access to Mansel. What a thoroughly good human being he is.

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks.

[@naliali]

Awesome Inslight , I didn't know Nigel was in Florida , I am in Cali

[@TheDavidGoldmanphoto]

Glad he is focusing on issues more important than racing. It would be nice to see F1 start to avoid countries with terrible human rights records. It should be a leader in more then just tech. Still, I miss F1.

[@trance9158]

So then both England and America would be banned as well. Both have horrid human right's past and present.

[@TheDavidGoldmanphoto]

Trance 9 Agreed!

[@trance9158]

@@TheDavidGoldmanphoto then basically every place F1 is held would be banned.

[@TheDavidGoldmanphoto]

Trance 9 you are probably right! That’s an interesting exercise. To find a viable country that does not have terrible human rights records. I mean I’d prefer Canada over Dubai. Maybe it should just be gender equality or else it’s E-Sports from here on in.

[@davidhodder9939]

Does mansell live in the usa know ??

[@Carbonarars]

clear words from nigel, like that a lot

[@CM_Burns]

I like Nigel's thick bushy eyebrows.

[@FrontSideBus]

They were interchangeable with moustache!

[@davidhodder9939]

Top top driver

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Great questions Peter, I thought nigel still lived in isle of man.

[@AmericasChoice]

25 golf days a year on the Isle of Man. 350 golf days year in Florida.

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

@@AmericasChoice thankyou

[@threeeyedfishy]

Does he have Aston Villa lions on the shirt?

[@crackerlackingproductions6746]

Nigel's the boss

[@officialWWM]

Woww, those are some serious eyebrows!

[@philstevens9914]

You cleverly shut Nigel down when he was trying to tell us what he thought was really going on with the CV situation and that the world was rapidly changing. Obvious between you and him who is the media guy and who's tune you dance to.

[@tashriquekarriem8865]

Nigel’s eyebrows thicker than my moustache 😅

[@peterwindsor]

So pleased that you obviously have the perfect face.

[@onearmedman9042]

I second that!

[@99percenter1]

He's right that there's a massive correction going on and that we're not being told the truth about the coronavirus.

[@NxDoyle]

I don't know what Nigel is talking about when he says we're not being told the whole story about Covid-19. Or about permanent social distancing. The countries that are handling Covid-19 well -- unlike the US and the UK -- are slowly phasing back to normal. One of the things that confuses me these days is people making outlandish claims that might not seem so outlandish if they supported their assertions with evidence.

[@chrisfuell2774]

Can’t golfers wear two gloves?. Surely job done for flags, rakes etc.

[@jeshkam]

I'm not that much into conspiracy etc. but I just hope the whole truth behind this pandemic is not some dark stuff like MKULTRA, I'd like to believe so... Anyway, thank you Peter, your videos are pure treasure, God bless the internet, I'm so glad I can watch this great content at home. ;))) Have a relaxing weekend.

[@peterwindsor]

Thanks. Very kind.

[@koitorob]

Nice to see 'our Nige' and i'm sorry for his loss, but i can't agree with him regarding getting back to normal as soon as possible. If we wait until there is a vaccine, which could take a couple of years, where will the world be then? I'm not suggesting that we just ignore the risk but we have to make a move back to normality where at all possible. That said, considering the circuits make their money from feet through the gate and merchandising, i don't see how they can agree to hold a race WITHOUT the crowds! The fee which they have to pay to hold the race is astonomical!

[@peterscrimizzi8137]

I always thought the cooling system was everything...the fans are just there to pump air over the cooling fins in the radiators...

[@koitorob]

TWAT!

[@proffmongo]

STOP THE BLOODY ZOOM INS!!!!

[@peterwindsor]

And will you please stop watching! Go do your own channel!

[@proffmongo]

@@peterwindsor Being a 54 year old who started watching F1 on ABC's Wide World Of Sports in the early 70's I will take heed in your advice & stop watching you & unsubscribe. Thank You & good day to you sir.

[@yerrie1908]

Alonso could be dead Melbourne 2017 but thats not populair to say, Hamilton could be dead Italy 2009, Germany 2010 and dead in Belgium 2011 (and I could go on) but this is not said by Nigel because of a lot of reasons, it’s not Max it’s not young drivers it’s modern F1 thats different. for now Max crashed a whole lot less then Lewis in his first 5 years, F1 is not football you can not make just things up we have data and facts

[@yerrie1908]

and if someone does some research i have a feeling that the current generation is crashing a lot less then Hamiltons generation and before

[@kekepiket9153]

I see Nigel is still nurturing his buddies in journalism. Back in the day he used to feed them lies about other drivers. Peter Windsor and Murray Walker were the most gullible ones.