Mansell’s size

After losing the Williams seat to Scot David Coulthard, Nigel Mansell signed for Ron Dennis’ McLaren-Mercedes team in 1995. McLaren’s title sponsor Marlboro wanted a world champion, but both parties soon regretted the move.

Before the season started, Mansell could not fit into the narrow new McLaren MP4-10 chassis and was replaced by fellow Brit Mark Blundell for the opening two rounds, in Brazil and Argentina.

The McLaren team worked day and night and Mansell’s modified car was completed in just 33 days, just in time for the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola. But after the Spanish Grand Prix, where Mansell was frustrated over his car’s performance, he chose to retire, after just two races with the team.

Later in 2015, Nigel stated that he was wrong to leave McLaren so soon in the season, and that in hindsight he should have continued with the team and help improve the car.

Picture below: Nigel Mansell in the McLaren MP4-10b.