It sure won't be Marco Andretti racing for him, thanks "Papa."

Mario: Nige my worst team-mate
Monday, 21, August, 2006, 15:48


Legendary racer Mario Andretti has described Nigel Mansell as the worst team-mate he ever had.

Andretti, the 1978 world champion, was briefly partnered with Mansell when the Briton broke into Formula 1 with Lotus in 1980.

The pair were reunited in 1993 after Mansell sensationally quit F1 as the reigning world champion and switched to the US-based Champ Car series.

Mansell arrived in a blaze of publicity and the veteran Andretti – then in the twilight of his illustrious career – was effectively marginalised in the Newman/Haas team which he had been a key part of for over a decade.

Mansell won the Champ Car title first time out, but the love affair turned sour the following year when his car was uncompetitive.

That led to increased friction within the team and more than one on-track clash with Andretti, putting a dampener on the Italian-American’s “arrivederci” testimonial year.

“I guess if Ronnie Peterson was the best team-mate I ever had, Nigel Mansell was the worst,” Andretti told F1 Racing magazine.

“He was a manipulator.

“He always got what he wanted – undivided attention and better equipment.

“I can’t blame him for pulling the team around him – and him only – but whenever things went wrong for him, he would instantly start trashing the team.

“That was so wrong. He was so ungracious.

“I had a lot of respect for him as a driver, but not as a man.”

 

What's with ex racers trashing others this week? First Villeneuve, now Andretti. I guess it sells more magazines.
Have to agree with Andretti though, I never really liked Mansell. He sure bolted CART fast enough when things started souring. Quite a whiner.

 

He "quit" F1 once too when he drove for Williams remember? He threw his gloves off when his car quit on him at Silverstone, declared he was never driving again, blah, blah blah but did of course. I loved watching Nigell race CART, it was like a dream come true for me and my wife. Watched him take pole at Mid-Ohio and got his autograph and pic w/ my wife post-pole conference.

 

I'll never forget Mansell crying on tv after Senna shunted him off.

 

I don't remember that one but believe it. Senna shed some tears in his day too. Hated that guy but loved watching him drive.

 

My dad loves Mansell,.......I dont have an opinion about him really.



I was watching that Wind Tunnel show last night on Speed. Apparently Mario declared that grandson Marco will be ready to drive in F1 in 2008. Ummmmm, how about NO. That will not happen EVER I hope. I respect Mario, but I absolutely hate Michael and his dipshit son Marco.