From www.itv-f1.com
Former Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell rolled back the years
to win a thrilling inaugural Grand Prix Masters race at Kyalami in
South Africa on Sunday.
The new concept, a self-styled "seniors tour" for retired Formula 1
racers, proved a smash hit with drivers and fans as the old-timers
showed they still had what it takes to entertain.
Mansell started from pole but still finished less than half a
second ahead of his old IndyCar rival Emerson Fittipaldi.
This despite the fact that the Brazilian legend was racing a
competitive single-seater for the first time in ten years.
Neither driver appeared to be show-boating and Mansell claimed
afterwards that he had raced as hard as ever to secure
victory.
"What a race!" he said.
"Pole was the critical factor today given how hard I was pushed by
Emerson.
"He just didn't give up and nor did I expect him to.
"I tried to break-away from him but he just kept his nose behind my
car and on a couple of occasions made moves on the inside of
corners!
"I simply could not have driven any harder out there today!"
The 58-year-old Fittipaldi, F1 world champion in 1972 and '74,
looked as hungry as ever and tried everything who could to pass
Mansell in the closing stages of the 30-lap race.
"I remember a few years ago when Nigel came over to Indy Cars and
the late great [Ayrton] Senna told me to watch out for Nigel's car
control," recalled Fittipaldi afterwards.
"Today I witnessed that first hand again and at times, I really
thought he had crossed the limit but time and time again he managed
to keep the car on the track - and get faster!
"He will make a mistake, I kept thinking and I tried to pass him on
several occasions but there simply wasn't enough braking
zone."
Former Brabham and Williams star Riccardo Patrese finished third,
20s back of the leading duo.
The Italian just managed to fend off countryman Andrea de Cesaris
who came out top of a massive scrap with Britain's Derek
Warwick.
Hans-Joachim Stuck was sixth.
Grand Prix Masters is planning to stage as many as six races in
2006, and a British round is in the works – possibly at
Silverstone.
On the evidence of Kyalami, it could well be a sell-out.
GP Masters result from Kyalami - 30 laps
1 Nigel Mansell 50m55.428s
2 Emerson Fittipaldi +0.408s
3 Riccardo Patrese +20.662s
4 Andrea de Cesaris +21.700s
5 Derek Warwick +21.853s
6 Hans-Joachim Stuck +23.201s
7 Christian Danner +24.188s
8 Eddie Cheever +32.205s
9 Jan Lammers +32.778s
10 Eliseo Salazar +43.419s
11 Patrick Tambay +1m11.584s
12 Rene Arnoux +1m12.736s
R Jacques Laffite +17 laps
R Stefan Johansson +28 laps