Scott Mansell: F1 racing is more beautiful than flying a jet
At the age of 16, Scott Mansell was already driving a Big Open Single Seater and two years later he was crowned BOSS champion. Although the Englishman was part of Christian Horner´s GP2 driver development program and on the radar of a number of Formula 1 teams, the fast Brit has never managed to move on to the top class of motoring. “ I lacked the necessary funds at decisive moments”, said Mansell, who put in an excellent display in his Benetton B199 at the Masters of F3 in Zandvoort, claiming a 2nd and 3rd place in the BOSS GP races.
Mansell is obviously a familiar name to motoring and motor racing enthusiasts. Scott is consequently frequently asked whether he is a relative of Nigel Mansell, the charismatic 1992 Formula 1 world champion.
A little boy’s dream
Well, he is not, but Scott’s urge for speed is just as intense as his illustrious namesake and fellow countryman’s. “I was five years old when I drove a go kart for the first time. I was immediately completely sold by the speed and excitement, and things haven’t changed since. Racing is my little boy’s dream. I can’t think of anything more exciting than motor racing, it is my passion.”
Speedy teenager
After Mansell had been karting until he was 16, he started his car racing career. In his rookie year, he was given an opportunity to take part in a number of Big Open Single Seater races. And he immediately made a big impact throughout his maiden season when he performed well in a Formula 3000 Reynard in the BOSS Masters class.
