All eyes will be on Nigel Mansell on Sunday 6th May, when the 1992 F1 World Champion races a Ferrari F430 GT in the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy at Silverstone, the next round of the FIA GT Championship.

Mansell was a works F1 driver for Ferrari from 1989-1990 and his presence will no doubt add an extra element of internal competition at the Scuderia Ecosse team. The exact driver line-up for the race has not yet been decided, but Mansell has already tested the F430 GT on track at Knockhill alongside regular drivers Chris Niarchos and Andrew Kirkaldy. We’re told he was “quickly on the pace”.

The idea for Mansell’s guest drive came about when the team heard a rumour that Mansell was thinking of driving a Ferrari in the American Le Mans Series. They suggested he give it a go closer to home. Said Mansell, “This was a challenge I had to accept. Stewart Roden runs a very good team and the cars are beautifully prepared. The Ferrari F430 GT is fun to drive but it remains to be seen how I will get on in a race situation as ex-F1 drivers tend to race with a target on their backs! I had a great time with the team at Knockhill and I think we are in for a great weekend of racing.”



As Scuderia Ecosse team principal, Stewart Roden, reminds us, “Nigel was the last Ferrari driver to be selected personally by Enzo Ferrari before the great man's death in 1988.” In terms of race victories, Mansell is the most successful British F1 driver of all time. His participation will certainly add excitement to the race at Silverstone in May.

For further information please visit www.scuderiaecosse.com

Text - Charis Whitcombe
Photos - Scuderia Ecosse/FIA GT