Mansell Returns - Again!
Contrary to recent reports, and the wishes of his contemporaries, Nigel Mansell has not quit motorsport, although it is unlikely he will appear behind the wheel in 1999.
The confusion arose after quotes attributed to the 1992 world champion appeared in the press last week. Mansell was believed to have said that he would "never be seen behind the wheel of a race car in any formula again", but the driver's colleague, Sheridan Thynne, insisted that the story was not true.
Contrary to recent reports, and the wishes of his contemporaries, Nigel Mansell has not quit motorsport, although it is unlikely he will appear behind the wheel in 1999.
The confusion arose after quotes attributed to the 1992 world champion appeared in the press last week. Mansell was believed to have said that he would "never be seen behind the wheel of a race car in any formula again", but the driver's colleague, Sheridan Thynne, insisted that the story was not true.
Thynne could not confirm that Mansell would drive competitively this season, however; a view backed up by TOCA boss Alan Gow. The Touring Car supremo, who oversaw Mansell's outings with Ford in 1998, said that he could not see any opening for the former Williams, Lotus and Ferrari man this year.
Mansell, too, said that it was unlikely that he would be seen in a touring car in 1999. Speaking at the London Boat Show, Mansell claimed that he didn't "want to go back to touring cars unless there was a meaningful offer - one where I'm guaranteed to be involved at all levels".
The calls for Mansell to step down intensified last week, with friends and rivals, including Derek Warwick and Jackie Stewart, joining Murray Walker in saying that he should quit while he was still held in esteem by his fans.
