Thread: Spain'95: The Return Of Nigel, Mansell

Spain'95: The Return Of Nigel, Mansell

Race #568: may 14, 1995. Grand Prix Of Spain. Catalunya
Pole	Michael Schumacher (Benetton B195) - 1. 21,452 (208,923 km/h)
Best lap	Damon hill (Williams FW17) - 1. 24,531 (201,313 km/h)
The winner	Michael Schumacher (Benetton B195) - 1:34. 20,507 (195,320 km/h)

If you say, hand on heart, that the track in Barcelona (with all its advantages as the test polygon) on most fans of Formula 1 brings unbearable boredom. It is now, with the introduction of DRS and the efforts of the guys Paul Hembry, racing here get even a little bit interesting. As before, if not rain, the fans in the stands and TV screens have a pretty hard time.

Of course, every rule has exceptions. But the Spanish race 1995 were generally traditional: to those who by unfortunate coincidence, fell asleep shortly after launch, and proclose before phinisee, it was easy to recreate the events of the missed hours.

Michael Schumacher will start first, did not give opponents any chances and rushed forward, followed by racer Benetton mixed situated representatives Williams and Ferrari. At first speed in the group leaders were about the same, but it soon became clear that the first five only two of Schumacher and Jean Alesi - plan to go to finish the race with two pit stops.

The rest had to visit the pits three times, because they quickly got into the traffic behind. And when, soon after the first replacement tire Alesi parked my Ferrari with a failed engine, it became clear that Michael will find a pretty simple race.

And so it was, moreover, in the last laps one after another refused gearbox on a pair of Williams - first unlucky David Coulthard, and under the checkered flag - and occupied the second place to Damon hill. So the second Barcelona race was able to finish the mate Schumacher johnny Herbert for Benetton it was only the second winning double for all the performances and for the British - and at the first visit to the podium.

Winning three locked Gerhard Berger, allowing Ferrari - without a single victory in the first four races to lead the table of the Cup of designers!

Interesting. . .

Johnny Herbert was the day one of the main characters. Racer was so eager to return to the track after the second pit stop that took off from the scene, when the mechanic had not yet had time to pull out the back Jack. The vehicle gathered speed, followed by small wheels raced and heavy metal thing. With all the comic situation, it is difficult to imagine how much trouble could make Jack get it on the track. Fortunately, all went from shaking lifting tool jumped out of the anchorage and flew off in a safe direction at the very moment when the British had just left the pit lane.

The Return Of Nigel, Mansell


The history of the sport knows many cases when a veteran, leaving behind the best years, unable to part with the case, which gave a lot of years and effort. In the result, it often happens that the last few seasons are so unfortunate that even cast a shadow on previous achievements.

Especially often it happens when the athlete not just a little sweet position, and once gone, then try to come back. Of course, there are also successful examples, however, the history of Alan Jones, Jacques Villeneuve, Pedro de La Rosa and many others illustrate how important it is to leave on time. Of course, each will easily remember and another very striking example from the recent past.

But in 1995-m principle departing-go hard knew another driver Nigel Mansell. Seemingly, his career came to a logical and very spectacular conclusion in 1992, Brit, nogda long and hard striving to the title, literally he defeated rivals driving incredible Williams.

Zapem to the team arrived (after a year pause in speeches) Alain Prost himself Mansell went over the ocean, where the fly became the champion series CART. . . It would seem, what else do you need on the threshold of the fifth ten? However, the British could not decide on the step, which regularly announced before finally quitting.

The tragic death of Ayrton Senna in 1994 forced the Frank Williams urgently seek an experienced pilot, as Damon hill and David Coulthard had traveled too few races. So Mansell was again in F1. The car drove fine, but the ex-champion, starting with a fairly high positions, first double-not finished, and then took the fourth place. And only at the end of the season in Adelaide, after the memorable clashes cbgbs and Schumacher, Nigel was able to win.

And again - there would him and to finish his speech. But to say something about this easy, but to do. . . In Williams, however, the place is not found, but the Briton was able to negotiate with his countryman Ron Dennis. In former times they boss McLaren often criticized each other, but have now decided to forget old grudges and to combine efforts.

It is said that negotiations had worked with them personally Bernie Ecclestone, who desperately needed some star names in the paddock. In addition, Dennis has agreed with the mechanics of Mercedeswhat promised to be a strong asset. Salary of Mansell was a lot of five million pounds.

However, in reality, the collaboration began not as wanted: pretty razdobrevshaya the pilot climbed into the cockpit! While made for him chassis increased in the pilot's seat, were two Grand Prix, and it turned out that he was going McLaren at best at the level of a good middle of the pack.

Because of the debut of Nigel waited with special interest. In qualifying he lost more than a second to teammate Mika Hakkinen, start failed, but then gradually went up from 14th place on the fifth. It seemed that not all so bad, but then the British boutil truly ridiculous error. Having caught up with Jordan Eddie Irvine, and he could not imagine that the opponent fights with him for the position, and not behind the wheel.

The result was a collision, broken front wing, a visit to the boxes and tenth place at the finish. It became clear that any triumphal return of speech is not.

Two weeks later in Barcelona Mansell was Saturday already so much closer to the companion, losing less than one tenth. But at the start he lost half a dozen positions, and then, fascinated by the struggle against racers Tyrrell Mika Salo and Yukio watching people, flew off the track. Great Nig was able to bring the car to the boxes, where he climbed out of the cockpit, took off the suit and did, finally, the step, which frightened the fans not for the first year.

I'm disappointed how developed our relationship with McLaren and Mercedes- he will say later.
-We can achieve very much if would have continued to work together. When I came to the McLaren, expecting that I would get the car capable to fight for the highest position, but ...

By the way, in the autumn of 1996, the next year, the 43-year-old pilot again sat behind the wheel of a F1 machine, taking part in the tests. But at least this time he still had enough prudence in time say no. What to do if not all own difficult art to leave on time.