According to former world champion Nigel Mansell, Ferrari is an institution in F1. The Briton spent two seasons at the Scuderia and has many fond recollections of his time with the Italian brand.
While sitting in the cockpit of his vintage Ferrari 640 at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 1992 F1 world champion commented wistfully:
“I mean sitting in the car this morning. The memories that come flooding back is astonishing and very special time with Ferrari and the 640. Here is an iconic car, winning first time out in Rio. That fantastic race in Hungary from 12th on the grid to win the race and passing Ayrton [Senna] in the way that we did in the race was just marvellous memories.”
Mansell then went on to talk about Tifosi, the Scuderia’s fervent fans from Italy. The 68-year-old added:
“The Italian fans, the fans worldwide are just incredible, but when you drive for Ferrari it’s something very special. If you’re two years of age in Italy or 92 years of age, everybody knows who drives for Ferrari and if you win a race it’s not like winning a race in any other country in the world because all the bells throughout the country, ring in all the churches and everything else. I mean, how many teams get a visit from the Pope? It’s an institution, Ferrari’s an institution.”
Mansell began his career with Lotus in 1980 before moving on to Williams from 1985 through 1998. During his two years with the Prancing Horse, he earned 11 podium finishes, including three wins and three pole positions. He then returned to Williams, where he won the F1 world championship in 1992.
Charles Leclerc not giving up!
Charles Leclerc isn’t giving up his pursuit of the 2022 Formula One World Championship versus Max Verstappen just yet. He had a solid start to the season, winning two races in the first three rounds of 2022.
Since then, the Monegasque has been unable to reach the top step of the podium, succumbing to Red Bull’s supremacy in the six races that have followed.
Charles Leclerc told the media after his remarkable drive from the rear of the grid to P5 at the 2022 F1 Canadian GP:
“We start again at Silverstone, where we will return to aim for victory. The championship is still long, the gap is 49 points: two wins and it’s done. Seriously, we have to concentrate on ourselves. If we push to the maximum, we have the potential to return to the front.”
Charles Leclerc is currently third in the World Drivers’ Championship standings with 126 points heading into the 2022 F1 British GP weekend at Silverstone.
