Nigel Mansell is one of the most successful British drivers in F1 history, having amassed 31 race wins, 59 podium finishes and a coveted world title across some 15 years in the sport, while representing the iconic Lotus, Williams, Ferrari and McLaren squads.
Adored by the home crowd at Silverstone year in, year out, Mansell joined F1.com at the famous venue earlier this week for a wide-ranging chat about F1 2026, covering off Mercedes’ intra-team battle, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari breakthrough, and much more ahead of this year’s event.
Mansell’s return to Silverstone
Mansell has made the journey from his home in the United States not only to enjoy the latest edition of the British Grand Prix, but also to be personally involved in an upcoming motorsport auction – arranged by BUDDS – featuring various items from his time in F1.
Included are a signed Mansell race helmet from the 1987 season, when he first triumphed at Silverstone, used race suits and gloves, old karting trophies and even personalised Williams golf clubs, along with a host of other F1-related lots.
“I have a really good feeling that my memorabilia is with fans throughout the world, and they’re probably the best custodians one could have,” says Mansell of where his items are going. “It gives everybody an opportunity to have a little bit of history, so we’re very excited about that.
“A number of these items are being donated straight to UK Youth. We’ve got an appeal that we’ve launched for £10 million, and that’s to build an incredible sports centre for children, to educate them, change their lives, give them an opportunity, and to realise their potential and dreams.
“We’re hopefully going to build it within the next two years. The Mansell family has committed to putting £1 million into the fund straight away, so we’ve got it up and running, and we’re excited to get it to completion as soon as we can. We have a race going on!”
Mansell’s lots will go under the hammer at the Silverstone Museum on Monday, just a stone’s throw away from the Grand Prix circuit, where 2026’s field of F1 drivers will be doing battle over the weekend…
Who Mansell’s backing for the British GP
Mansell, who boasts five victories on British soil, including two wins at Brands Hatch, is looking forward to seeing a strong contingent of home drivers in action (George Russell, Hamilton, Lando Norris, Ollie Bearman and Arvid Lindblad all representing the UK), as well as the next chapter in the fight at the front of the field.
“Silverstone is always tremendous,” Mansell continues with a twinkle in his eye. “I think it’s terribly exciting to race in front of your home crowd, and to have so many British drivers on the grid is fantastic. It’s going to be a fascinating weekend, so I’ll be a keen fan watching how it develops.
“George did absolutely everything he needed to do in Austria, which was to bounce back and get a win. Mercedes and Red Bull were hooked up incredibly well there, but there’s no doubt that Mercedes will be the hot favourites here.
“Ferrari, I was really confused about how they could be so stunningly quick in Barcelona, and then, the way they harvested power or deployed power in Austria, didn’t work. Hopefully there’s some good answers here at Silverstone.”
But those are not the only teams and drivers Mansell will be keeping an eye on.
“McLaren, they can bounce back any time,” he points out. “I think this circuit could suit McLaren really well. They deserve to get on the top [step of the] podium again, especially Lando. He’s doing a fantastic job, and he’s a wonderful World Champion.
“I think for Lando, it was a huge relief to win the World Championship. Then, to be in the same team and to be able to try and defend the World Championship in the manner that you won it, is a wonderful feeling.
“I think he’s a more complete driver now with tremendous confidence. He’s carried the mantle incredibly well. I think out of the car he’s matured incredibly, and he speaks with great professionalism.
“I mean, you can throw a load more teams in there, and I’ve got to say this, because I care about it, I really hope that Aston Martin get their act together soon. It’s heartbreaking to see how they’re struggling.”
Hamilton’s Ferrari breakthrough
Of that front-running group, Hamilton’s resurgence at Ferrari has filled Mansell with joy – the seven-time World Champion bouncing back from a difficult first season in red to return to winning ways at the recent Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
“I’ll make no apologies, I’m a huge fan of Lewis,” adds Mansell, who raced for the Scuderia in 1989 and 1990. “Lewis is fantastic. He showed to everybody, if you give him the tools to do the job… He was impeccable in Barcelona. He didn’t just win the race – he smashed the opposition.
“His driving ability in the car, it didn’t twitch. He drove superbly, and he drove away from [the field]. He showed everybody, including himself, what an incredible talent he is. It was a joy to watch, and I think everybody embraced the fact that Ferrari and Lewis won.”
Mansell also referenced the hard work and adjustments Hamilton has put in and made behind the scenes to get to this point, and how he appears to have the passionate Tifosi firmly onside.
“[Ferrari team boss] Fred Vasseur has supported him incredibly,” he says. “He’s changed a number of things, and he feels comfortable. There’s nothing worse than saying something to an engineer or to the team, and they’re nodding, but they’re not doing anything about it. To be understood and to be listened to – then you get results.
“I think the Italian fans love him, so it’s wonderful. It just came at the right time, Barcelona. You can live on that for a good few races – the other second places as well. He’s not out of the championship. It’s very exciting, very exciting for Lewis.”
Put to him that it looks like Hamilton is well and truly back, Mansell smiles: “He’s never been away! If you’ve got the talent, you’ve got the talent. You can’t show your talent if you haven’t got the tools to do the job.
“I hope Lewis has a fabulous British Grand Prix, as I do with Lando and George. George has now got to stamp his authority in the Mercedes team, otherwise Kimi Antonelli will drive away from him.”
