Post by F1 Junkie on Apr 30, 2006 13:43:55 GMT -5
Thank God they Created Grand Prix Masters.
Come ON Keke Rosberg and Gerhard Berger - where Are you..?? I wish Speed TV would show this series... Come on Speed.
GPM: Mansell keeps a cool head to win in Qatar.
Nigel Mansell took victory in the second ever Grand Prix Masters event at Losail, Qatar yesterday in race that was described as "the hottest in living memory."
The 1992 Formula One World Champion led from pole to take victory ahead of Christian Danner, and debutant to the Maters series Eric van der Pole amidst track temperatures that soared as high as 58 degrees and a recorded thingypit temperature of 77 degrees.
"A brilliant result but an incredibly tough race out there today," said an exhausted Mansell. "It was a tactical race right from the very start and the pace was really quick out there.
"I was pleased with the set-up strategy we had adopted on the car because I had problems going with turns one and two but the last four corners is what we specially set the car up for and that's what ultimately won me the race."
Mansell, who won the inaugural Grand Prix Masters race in Kyalami last year, not only had the scorching heat to contend with, but also some on-board problems and revealed the prolonged safety car period following Eliseo Salazar's off on the first turn held the key to victory.
"About three laps into the race, I suffered a seat installation problem which must have been caused by the high g-loadings but in the end, it came good," added Mansell.
"These guys were catching me down the main straight and I was weaving around the place to avoid anyone getting a tow off me. The first re-start after the safety car was great as I caught everyone unaware and got a great head start."
Second place man Danner ended the race at Qatar pleased with a podium, however the German felt that he had the measure of Mansell.
"I did have a chance to maybe beat Nigel today but I never really got into a rhythm with my car," revealed Danner. "It took a few laps before the grip really kicked in and by then, we had a safety car period again. I am, however, very happy with what we have all achieved this weekend and second place will do me – this time."
Debutant Van der Pole was delighted with his turn in the race and enjoyed his first taste of the Grand Prix Masters.
"It's been nearly fifteen years since my last grand prix," said the Belgian driver, "and to be on the podium again today was simply awesome! I can still hardly believe it. The race was certainly not short of action and there were so many battles going on up and down the pack but I was lucky as on each lap I found less and less cars in front of me."
In contrast to Mansell, fellow Indy 500 winner Eddie Cheever was caught napping as the safety car pulled in and dubbed the restart the "worst green flag drop I have seen in 30 years of racing" as Cheever failed to seize the initiative and lost out to Mansell dropping to fourth.
Derek Warwick finished fifth after starting third and dropping down the field with a spin and did well to claw his way into the top six after some fantastic battles with sixth place man Pierluigi Martini.
Come ON Keke Rosberg and Gerhard Berger - where Are you..?? I wish Speed TV would show this series... Come on Speed.
GPM: Mansell keeps a cool head to win in Qatar.
Nigel Mansell took victory in the second ever Grand Prix Masters event at Losail, Qatar yesterday in race that was described as "the hottest in living memory."
The 1992 Formula One World Champion led from pole to take victory ahead of Christian Danner, and debutant to the Maters series Eric van der Pole amidst track temperatures that soared as high as 58 degrees and a recorded thingypit temperature of 77 degrees.
"A brilliant result but an incredibly tough race out there today," said an exhausted Mansell. "It was a tactical race right from the very start and the pace was really quick out there.
"I was pleased with the set-up strategy we had adopted on the car because I had problems going with turns one and two but the last four corners is what we specially set the car up for and that's what ultimately won me the race."
Mansell, who won the inaugural Grand Prix Masters race in Kyalami last year, not only had the scorching heat to contend with, but also some on-board problems and revealed the prolonged safety car period following Eliseo Salazar's off on the first turn held the key to victory.
"About three laps into the race, I suffered a seat installation problem which must have been caused by the high g-loadings but in the end, it came good," added Mansell.
"These guys were catching me down the main straight and I was weaving around the place to avoid anyone getting a tow off me. The first re-start after the safety car was great as I caught everyone unaware and got a great head start."
Second place man Danner ended the race at Qatar pleased with a podium, however the German felt that he had the measure of Mansell.
"I did have a chance to maybe beat Nigel today but I never really got into a rhythm with my car," revealed Danner. "It took a few laps before the grip really kicked in and by then, we had a safety car period again. I am, however, very happy with what we have all achieved this weekend and second place will do me – this time."
Debutant Van der Pole was delighted with his turn in the race and enjoyed his first taste of the Grand Prix Masters.
"It's been nearly fifteen years since my last grand prix," said the Belgian driver, "and to be on the podium again today was simply awesome! I can still hardly believe it. The race was certainly not short of action and there were so many battles going on up and down the pack but I was lucky as on each lap I found less and less cars in front of me."
In contrast to Mansell, fellow Indy 500 winner Eddie Cheever was caught napping as the safety car pulled in and dubbed the restart the "worst green flag drop I have seen in 30 years of racing" as Cheever failed to seize the initiative and lost out to Mansell dropping to fourth.
Derek Warwick finished fifth after starting third and dropping down the field with a spin and did well to claw his way into the top six after some fantastic battles with sixth place man Pierluigi Martini.