Motor Racing: Mansell has the right set-up
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.NIGEL MANSELL arrived here yesterday for round 13 of the 16-race PPG IndyCar World Series to be greeted by a circuit which presents him with another new challenge in his rookie year.
The Newman-Haas team had a rewarding experience with Michael Andretti's consecutive victories in 1991 and 1992 on the 1.73-mile temporary street circuit and the team have the set- ups that have worked here before. The engineer, Peter Gibbons, knows Mansell's preferences and driving style, so he can adjust the set-ups for him even before the first session. Thus Mansell can begin the weekend with confidence in the car.
At the most recent temporary street course in Toronto, Lola had made some changes to the car. Neither Mansell nor his team-mate, Mario Andretti, were able to come to terms with the car, and they qualified eighth and ninth. Mansell's race mercifully ended prematurely with a wastegate fire. The disaster in Toronto is not likely to be repeated in Vancouver.
Even though Paul Tracy is third in the PPG Cup standings, he is a mere seven points behind the second-placed Emerson Fittipaldi. While the elder Penske driver seems to have faltered since the brilliant weel-to-wheel contest he enjoyed with Mansell in Cleveland, Tracy's charge toward the championship has been gaining momentum.
Last year Tracy crashed here. Now, with tutelage in racecraft from a master - the Penske team advisor, Rick Mears, who has 29 career IndyCar wins, three championships and four Indy 500 victories - Tracy is still quick and brave, but he is also a lot smarter. All of this said, it would be unwise to count Fittipaldi out of the match.
In the first official qualifying session, Mansell had his work cut out in keeping up with the pace set by Tracy as he acquainted himself with the 1.73- mile track. It was very much a learning exercise.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments