Get to Know Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Formula 1 Williams FW14B Before it Heads to Auction
Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Williams FW14B is set to head to auction at Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed auction this July. Since only somewhere between one and none of us are going to be able to buy it, let’s spend a few minutes with it to learn its story before it does.
The combination of the name Nigel Mansell and the year 1992 may well stir a few memories. 1992 was the year in which Mansell finally cracked the Formula 1 Drivers World Championship, having come agonisingly close and finishing second three times prior. It was also the beginning a dominating streak for Williams, who would win five constructors and four drivers’ titles in the ’90s.
The 1992 Formula 1 World Championship season opened with Mansell winning five straight races, at Kyalami, Hermanos RodrÃguez, Interlagos, Catalunya and Imola. Winning in France, his home grand prix in Britain and Germany, he secured the drivers’ title by the time the championship made it to the Hungarian Grand Prix – a record at the time – and would claim one last win in the 1992 Portuguese Grand Prix. Amongst other records, he set the record for the most wins and most pole positions in a year, although Michael Schumacher would break both of those records in 2002.
Riccardo Patrese had a strong year as well, winning the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka and finishing second in the drivers’ championship ahead of Michael Schumacher. The pair’s successes would give Williams a comfortable win in the constructors’ title ahead of McLaren and Benetton.
This car is FW14B chassis 8. It was driven by both Williams drivers during the 1992 season, with Mansell driving it in seven grand prix, winning five and claiming one second place finish, and Riccardo Patrese continuing its successful performance in the second half of the season.
This video from the Goodwood team talks about the FW14B’s achievements, trick technology and its significance in the nation that produced it. Hit play, and enjoy!
