Nigel Mansell: “What is Le Mans in the end –”

This afternoon, the unique Ginetta-Zytek 09S present in the LMP1 category at the 24 Hours will welcome an unusual crew. Entered by Beechdean Mansell Motorsport, this car is stamped with the number 5, Nigel Mansell's favorite number. And this is anything but the result of chance, since he is indeed the world champion of F1 1992 who will be on board. But the presence of the British star is not the only particularity of this crew. In fact, the former pilot Williams will share the wheel with his two sons, Léo and Greg, to form a 100% family crew.
Greg is currently competing in the Formula championship Renault 3.5 Series, as for Léo, he is the only one of the trio to have already taken part in the double round of the clock at Sarthe. He was present last June, aboard a Ferrari F430 GT2 entered by the Modena team.

The car whose dress represents the Union Jack flag will not aim for victory, the Mansells are there to discover this extraordinary race.

“You have to come and watch the 24 Hours to be motivated by the desire to compete in this race. To realize how special this test is, says Nigel in the official program of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What is Le Mans after all? A challenge, becoming one with your machine, sharing settings with teammates, dealing with changing weather conditions, feeling the support of the fans? In the past, I never really had the time to go there, nor to ride with a prototype. Last year, I had to come and watch my son Léo in a Ferrari F430 GT2 to understand. It was fantastic ! Ride for 24 hours, evaluate the evolution of the track, develop strategies? it?s very special. This gave me new motivation and that's why I chose to create this team. If my son had not competed in the event, I don't know if I would have come as a competitor. I am happy and proud that the ACO supported us in our approach.”

At 56, Nigel Mansell has rediscovered a taste for speed and competition. Driving on a legendary circuit, for an event that is just as legendary, and what's more, sharing the seat with his two sons, a father passionate about motorsport couldn't dream of better. On the sporting side, Beechdean Mansell Motorsport has not set itself any objectives. Seeing the finish would already be a magnificent reward.

Find the entire file on the Mansell family in the official program of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.