Why Vettel will run with Mansell's Williams

Present at a press conference, Sebastian Vettel explained why he will take the wheel of Nigel Mansell's old FW14B at Silverstone this Sunday.

Published on 30/06/2022 à 16:46

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Why Vettel will drive Mansell's Williams at Silverstone

Sebastian Vettel will do some laps with the FW14B at Silverstone. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

At the British Grand Prix this weekend, Sebastian Vettel will not only take control of its AMR 22Aston Martin. While waiting for the start of the race on Sunday at 16:00 p.m., the four-time world champion will be treated to a historic trip.

Around noon on Sunday, Sebastian Vettel will indeed settling aboard a FW14B, the car used by Nigel Mansell and Ricardo Patrese during the Drivers-Constructors double of Williams in 1992. For around ten minutes, the German will allow the world champion mount to return to the track for a few laps to amuse the gallery but also to have fun himself.

« It was my idea since it's my car, said the current Aston Martin driver explaining the choice of this car in particular. I bought it four years ago, something like that. This is the 1992 car with the red number 5. To me, it represents much more than just a car from 30 years ago. I have worn the number 5 in the past, I won my first world championship with a red 5, I wore it for many years in karting and I'm wearing it today! There is a link. My first memories of F1 date back to the early 1990s and to this car in particular. So it was my initiative »

: MOTORSPORT – F1 1992 – SAN MARINO GP – IMOLA – PHOTO: DPPI NIGEL MANSELL (GBR) / WILLIAMS FW14B RENAULT – ACTION – WINNER

: During his first title in 2010, Sebastian Vettel wore number 5. ©DPPI/F. Le Floc’h

An old F1 adapted for today's world

Happy to be able to restart a myth like the FW14B, Sebastian Vettel wanted to do things carefully. A fervent defender of the environment for some time, the former pilot Red Bull has put everything in place to make its Williams as ecological as possible.

« I also told myself that it had to be done in a responsible way., explains the main person concerned. We will therefore use a carbon neutral fuel to prove that we can hold on to the history and heritage of motorsport in a more responsible way. I can't wait to drive the car for the first time and hear the sound of its engine. I think it will be a pleasure shared with people.

Fuel was hard to come by but once we got our hands on it all we needed was a shakedown (to adjust the injection levels. Ed.). It will not affect the car in any way. It will make the same noise as 30 years ago. » Shows that the past and the modern era can coexist very well today.