Motor Racing: Patience still the key for Mansell: IndyCar future favourable for Formula One world champion
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BEFORE the IndyCar season began, there were two schools of thought concerning Nigel Mansell's prospects for following his Formula One world championship with an IndyCar title. One held that Mansell would dominate the championship. The other suggested his impact would be felt chiefly by the concrete walls of the oval tracks. Mansell may prove both views to be at least partially correct.
He leads the standings by 19 points from Emerson Fittipaldi and Raul Boesel. After winning in Australia, Mansell has consolidated despite missing Phoenix after crashing there.
With 20 points for a win plus bonus points for fastest lap and most laps led, the lead is hardly secure - a poor result this week in Detroit could eradicate it. Had Mansell had difficulty in adapting to ovals - which comprise six of the 16 races - his title chances could have been jeopardised.
After Phoenix, that scenario seemed likely. Since then, however, Mansell has demonstrated remarkable patience and progress. With minimal practice time at Indianapolis he drove well but lacked the machine. On Sunday, only as he fought to pass Boesel for the lead did his driving display any of the darty, ragged style which had brought him trouble in Phoenix.
Certainly, Mansell has benefited from having Mario Andretti, perhaps the last great oval champion, as his team-mate. Andretti's testing has provided the basic set-up which allows Mansell to arrive and drive, doing little more than fine-tuning.
Further, although Mansell expressed frustration with the single-car qualifying at Indy and Milwaukee, after winning from seventh position on Sunday he now knows oval-track races can neither be won simply by taking pole position, nor need they be lost by failing to. In the last 11 races, only two one-mile ovals and the Michigan superspeedway remain, and the calendar favours his prospects.
Andretti, Boesel, Scott Goodyear and Arie Luyendyk, however, drive near-identical Lola-Fords and have more experience over the varied venues. The Penske PC22 is equally competitive, and Fittipaldi and Paul Tracy will prove formidable adversaries.
All machines have been reliable, and the battle seems to be between Mansell, Boesel and Fittipaldi. Last year, however, mid-season technological developments shifted the balance, and that may happen again.
This weekend's race on the tight, slippery Belle Isle street circuit should prove eventful. In 1992, Rahal profited from contact between Tracy and Michael Andretti to take victory on the 2.1-mile, 14-turn course. Any of 12 drivers may win, with Mansell given no quarter.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments