22 replies to this topic

[potmotr]

Can anyone tell me the story behind this video clip? It shows Nigel Mansell apparently chasing a journalist then falling over his own feet before giving chase again. The start of the clip shows teammates Mansell and Prost one-two on top of the podium so it must have either been Mexico or Jerez 1990. I'd be guessing Jerez. You can still hear the podium music playing in the background. Was Mansell prone to this sort of behaviour?
Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find any trace of it on BB search.

[René de Boer]

The commentary (in German, telling by the voice most likely from Markus Schocker) says that it is a fan rather than a journalist that Nige was after. That's all I can add to this subject.

[potmotr]

Originally posted by René de Boer
The commentary (in German, telling by the voice most likely from Markus Schocker) says that it is a fan rather than a journalist that Nige was after. That's all I can add to this subject.

Oh, I thought the man he was chasing was holding a microphone. Clearly it was actually a bratwurst.

[bigears]

Orginally I thought it was at Hungaroring because of the paddock layout in a natural 'bowl'

But I didn't realise about the podium, I will have a look in my 1990 Motoring News archives for this particular incident.

[Vitesse2]

It's Mexico 1990, as can be divined from the banner behind the drivers. There's also a colour shot of the podium in Motor Sport which shows more of it. However, no mention of this incident in the report.

[Hugo Boecker]

The voice says: " Hier Aufnahmen aus Ungarn .. da hat ihn ein Fan wohl etwas provozoiert .. Mansell auf 100 möchte dem Fan wohl an den Kragen gehen.."
So this means it was at Hungaria. But on the banner behind you can spot Grand (Prix) de Me(xiko)
Odd ?! Perhaps the podium pictures are not part of this scene and from a part before?

[Formula Once]

Podium is Mexico, paddock is Hungary. And as far as I can see, Mansell wants to give this man an autograph, but the man clearly doesn't want one.

[Glengavel]

Mansell was chasing someone once but the guy got away by hitching a lift on a passing milk float.

[Jones Foyer]

He's kindly offering the guy a knuckle sandwich.

[Burnout]

Nigel makes a fist like a girl. Likely to do more damage to himself than his opponent if he were to punch with it.

[Paolo]

Mansell is a Karate black belt.

[Vitesse2]

Possibly a Gerhard Berger fan? Noige and Gerhard had a couple of comings together in the Hungarian GP, resulting in them both retiring and each blaming the other. Senna was also a bit "physical" that day, clashing with Nannini. Both Benetton and Ferrari apparently considered protests but "ultimately settled for simply registering their verbal disapproval of the McLaren drivers' tactics" as DJT put it in Motor Sport (possibly glossing it over a touch?;)). Ron reckoned the Berger/Mansell incident was just "the sort of accident that happens a hundred times".

[doc knutsen]

Originally posted by Burnout
Nigel makes a fist like a girl. Likely to do more damage to himself than his opponent if he were to punch with it.

There was a film that showed him breaking a brick with his hand, in a karate chop. As far as I am aware, he has a Black Belt in karate which I understand takes a lot of ability in that particular sport. Where does you information originate from?

[man]

yep, its the Hungaroring.

Before he left for the States, old Nige was the guy that pretty much nobody would want a physical confrontation with. Has there ever been any footage of photos of Nige grabbing Senna at Spa 1987?


Yes, I know this is classified as a "fluff" post.

[potmotr]

Interesting, but I'd love to know what really happened.
Also interesting that Mansell can't run a short distance without falling over, despite being able to have a feel for a GP car at high speed.

[fines]

Originally posted by potmotr
Also interesting that Mansell can't run a short distance without falling over, despite being able to have a feel for a GP car at high speed.

Without having seen the clip (sorry, can't be bothered), I'd guess it would have to do with Nigel's penchant for theatrical posing - he would cut his fingers on a trophy, bang his head on something solid, collapse from heat exhaustion etc. as soon as a camera was pointing his way, or a large crowd watch him.

[potmotr]

Originally posted by fines

Without having seen the clip (sorry, can't be bothered)

Oh, do watch it. Only about 15 seconds.

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by fines

Without having seen the clip (sorry, can't be bothered), I'd guess it would have to do with Nigel's penchant for theatrical posing - he would cut his fingers on a trophy, bang his head on something solid, collapse from heat exhaustion etc. as soon as a camera was pointing his way, or a large crowd watch him.

...but my God he was fast behind the wheel of a racing car and thats what matters...;)

[fines]

Is it? Strange, I myself am absolutely crap behind the wheel of a racing car, yet I feel in no way handicapped...

[Hames Junt]

I can't help but chuckle at the way he falls over though

[simonlewisbooks]

Originally posted by fines
Is it? Strange, I myself am absolutely crap behind the wheel of a racing car, yet I feel in no way handicapped...

But then you - nor I - are professional racing drivers so who cares how crap we drive?
The man with the moustache was being paid handsomely to do just that...so I guess in his case it mattered a lot.

[bigears]

I had a look in the 1989 and 1990 Hungarian GP reports in my old Motoring News and found nothing.

So this incident is still a mystery then.

[gio66]

If I'm not wrong, Nigel was angry because the fan had stole his cap.