The End of an Era: Nigel Mansell’s Exit from Formula 1
Nigel Mansell’s decision to step away from Formula 1 in 1991 was not made lightly. After a week of contemplation, allowing the media frenzy surrounding his impending retirement to settle, he came to the conclusion that the political maneuvering and indecision within the sport had ultimately driven him out.
In Le Castellet, just days before the Silverstone race, I had a lengthy conversation with Mansell. It was late Saturday afternoon, and he had spent most of the day in the Ferrari motorhome, discussing his future with company president Piero Fusaro and team manager Cesare Fiorio. There was immense pressure on him to re-sign, but the offer did not meet his expectations. He chose not to make a decision on the spot, and who could blame him?
Mansell had other pressing matters at hand, including a race the following day where he started from pole position. A decision was promised at Silverstone. However, as he admitted, he lacked the political finesse that many top players in F1 possess. “To be like that,” he said, “you have to manipulate, lie—and anticipate so many moves ahead, because you’ve got to cover your lies. I’ve always found life much easier just going along, telling the truth. Sometimes it seems to cause me more trouble than it’s worth, but I refuse to change…”
He emphasized that he had made no firm decision about 1991. The choice was clear-cut: stay at Ferrari or return to Williams. There were other offers, but none that warranted serious consideration. Which way would he go? Each option had its pros and cons.
There was also a third alternative—retirement. Looking back, I admit I didn’t take this seriously enough. In the past, Nigel had often joked about quitting to play golf, but it was never with much conviction. After his disqualification in Estoril last year and subsequent ban from the Spanish GP, he again spoke of walking away from the sport.
At Ricard, I asked him under what circumstances he would quit. He thought for a moment. “If I couldn’t… put a package together for next year,” he hesitated, “in which… I’m actually competing for the World Championship, I’d stop. That’s what it’s all about for me now—the championship. It’s not about money, or driving for a team with a magic name, or any of that stuff. It’s a matter of a solid job, being competitive everywhere, finishing races.”
In mid-1989, his future looked promising. He had signed a new Ferrari contract, one that promised him number one status, two cars at every race, and so on. “Being with Ferrari has put me on a different level altogether—even in the eyes of Williams, I think. If I were to go back there, it would be totally different,” he said.
The situation changed when Alain Prost joined Ferrari. Once Alain decided to leave McLaren, it was clear that Ferrari would be after him. Any deal with the world champion depended on Mansell relinquishing his number one status for 1990, which the Italians secured, albeit with some persuasion.
At Monza, where Prost’s signing was confirmed, Mansell spoke positively about his new teammate. “The one man in the pitlane, I believe, from whom I can still learn.” He was confident that Alain would bring positive changes to Ferrari.
However, what Mansell underestimated was the ‘honeymoon’ period that comes with a new driver, especially one who quickly achieves success. This was similar to how he had been treated a year earlier when he was the blue-eyed boy, while Gerhard Berger felt overlooked. Not until Monza did Gerhard finish a race, by which time Nigel had already accumulated 38 points.
Now, in 1990, everything had gone Prost’s way. By mid-season, he led the World Championship, having won four of the eight races. Mansell, by contrast, had retired five times, with only a second place in Mexico and two pole positions as highlights.
Despite the team’s desire to retain him, Mansell must have realized that the balance of power had shifted. If he wanted unequivocal number one status, he would have to move on. At Ricard, he had not yet reached a conclusion, but I felt increasingly that his inclination was towards returning to Williams.
However, on the Friday evening before Silverstone, a significant obstacle emerged. Ayrton Senna had not yet given Williams a definitive refusal. Until he did, no other signings could proceed. Learning this, Mansell withdrew from the Williams equation.
Senna’s negotiations with Ron Dennis had taken their toll. The core issue was not money, but the length of the contract. Dennis wanted Senna to sign for three years, while Ayrton preferred the traditional Andretti approach of one season at a time. “I’ve had it with the politics. I just felt weary of it all. And I went back to the motorhome, talked it over with my wife and a couple of friends, then made my announcement,” Mansell said.
Although Senna has spoken to Ferrari this year, there is little chance he will join them in 1991, as Prost would likely follow. Given Prost’s recent achievements, such a move would be unpopular in Italy.
Many speculate that Senna may prefer a one-year deal in 1991 to keep his options open for 1992, should Prost retire. While I find it hard to believe Senna would leave McLaren-Honda for Williams-Renault, his influence in the sport is such that teams are willing to wait for his decision.
By the time of the Silverstone weekend, one of Mansell’s three options had vanished. On Saturday, he delivered what may have been the greatest single lap of his career, securing pole position and sweeping Senna, Prost, and everyone else aside. Later that day, he walked back past the crowds and knew it was over.
On Sunday morning, he was relaxed. “I knew,” he said after the race, “that this might be my last British GP. Various friends of mine came specifically for that reason.” He added, “For some time it had been a matter of if, if, if—until certain things didn’t happen. When I pulled off in the race, and walked back past the crowds, I suddenly knew that was it.”
Mansell’s exit left a void. Senna is expected to remain at McLaren, and Prost will likely stay with Ferrari. But who will challenge Frank Williams? Renault is pushing for a superstar or a French-speaking driver, and Jean Alesi fits the latter. Rumors suggest he has signed letters of intent with both Williams and Ferrari, adding complexity to the situation.
Meanwhile, Al Unser Jr. has moved on to Indycar, leaving F1 behind. His performance in the CART race in Toronto was impressive, proving his talent even under challenging conditions. It seems unlikely he will return to F1 anytime soon.
For different reasons, Nigel Mansell and Al Unser Jr. may be absent from F1 in 1991. Whether this will change remains to be seen, but at this moment, their feelings seem to be one of relief.