Video: Watch Nigel Mansell hustling a Ferrari 640

17th March 2022

James King

All human beings seek happiness – every single one of you reading this will be wanting just a little slice of joy today. Well, just take one minute and 30 seconds out of your busy schedule, whatever you might be doing, and we can provide. If you have headphones, this is the time to pick them up and plug them in. If you could just tap play on the video – we’re going to do a bit of roleplay.

The year is 1989. You’re a 36-year-old man by the name of Nigel (don’t worry it gets better). You’re not just any Nigel. You’re Nigel Mansell. You’re in Estoril and the sun is beating down on you and your thick ‘80s moustache. You look down and you’re racing a 3.5-litre V12 Ferrari flat-out around the Portuguese circuit, a Ferrari 640, and you’re on a flyer. Storming up and down the gears you pass numerous slow cars in the pursuit of the perfect lap. You’re in a little bit of form despite the blip in Italy in the last race and you’ve got all the momentum in the world to challenge the McLarens of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost for the race win. The crowd chant ‘Il Leone’ as you roar past and life it good. For the next one minute and 30 seconds, just let the V12 soundtrack wash away any negativity in your life, like the fact that Christian Horner is already complaining about Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton has already made his annual ‘we’re not going to challenge’ speech.

There. Absolute bliss.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Onboard screaming Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 hotlap