Nigel Mansell's 'Fired' Gift: Why Ferrari Steals the Heart Over Williams
In the battle of loyalties, Nigel Mansell opts for Ferrari over Williams, crediting lavish gifts like a Testarossa and a Ducati. Meanwhile, Williams' parting gift was simply a pink slip after his championship win.
When given the arduous task of picking between his two former loves, Ferrari and Williams, Nigel Mansell didn't even flinch before declaring his heart belongs to the prancing horse. Sure, Williams is a ‘great team,’ Mansell admits, but Ferrari is 'something out there special.' And by 'special,' he means a steady stream of gifts nicer than the average Christmas haul.
Mansell, who tore up the F1 tracks with Williams from 1985-88 and again from 1991-92, bagged his sole World Championship during this time. Yet, Ferrari's allure is undeniable. After his first Williams stint, Mansell spent two seasons with the Italian giants, and it was like Christmas every day. He reminisced fondly about casually mentioning spotting a lovely Ducati, then finding one parked in his driveway a week later. Want to test a new Testarossa? Sure, why not! And guess what? A brand new one arrives at your doorstep, no invoice attached.
Recalling his Williams experience, Mansell chuckled, "What did I get from Williams?" The answer was a double thumbs down and a laugh. "Oh, wait, I did get something—a championship win and a pink slip as a thank-you gift!" Sorry, Williams, but that didn't fill the garage.
Mansell further reminisced on his time with Ferrari, reaching the limits of their generosity when they offered him the chance to pilot a $34 million jet to Lisbon. 'I'm still waiting for that one,' he quipped.
Despite the bittersweet memories with Williams, where contract extension talks after his championship win collapsed like a poorly baked soufflé, Mansell still speaks of his time there with some fondness. "Williams is a great team, but Ferrari—well, they can do things others just can't," he summarized.
Mansell's choice between Ferrari and Williams is a tale as old as time: the irresistibly flamboyant allure of Italian passion and generosity versus the stiff-upper-lip pragmatism of the British racing institution. And when one offers a Ducati and a Testarossa, it’s almost unfair to compare.