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NIGEL MANSELL-ESTORIL 1991 | |||
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 Nigel
Mansell encountered further pit disaster at the 1991 Portuguese Grand Prix,
although this time, it virtually cost him the 1991 drivers championship.Mansell had taken the lead in the 18th lap and was leading comfortably when he entered the pits on lap 30. The pit stop seemed to be going well, but as Mansell pulled out of his pit area, the right rear wheel worked its way loose, came off the car, and rolled through rival teams pit areas. The Williams mechanics rushed down the pit lane, where Mansell had ground to a halt. They committed several offences, including lifting the car manually by hand (without a jack), and working on the car outside the designated pit area. As it turned out, the wheel nut had cross threaded, and was not fully fitted before Mansell pulled out of the pit box. Mansell was stationary in the pits for a further minute while another wheel was man handled onto the car. Mansell rejoined way down the field in 17th place, but drove out of his skin to get up to sixth place before receiving the black flag on lap 50 for the offences committed during the stop. Mansell was gutted, realising his championship chances had been practically ruined: "All I can say is that I feel very upset and very disappointed at what has happened," he said. "As far as I'm concerned I came in and made a perfectly good pit stop and was waved out by the team. There was a problem and that was it. I cannot say any more than that." Team principal Frank Williams was more philosophical about the whole incident: "I have no argument about the black flag as we broke the rules. The car left before the wheel change was finished." Meanwhile Tyrrell team manager Rupert Mainwaring witnessed the event in close proximity: "Nigel accelerated away and the rear wheel came off, overtook his car and came bouncing through our pit, bowling over two mechanics." The events of Estoril 1991 are shown below: |
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Step-by-step guide to this Incident | |||
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Mansell pulls out of his pit box. | |||
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The wheel departs. | |||
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Mansell is in serious trouble as the wheel goes its separate way. | |||
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Mansell continues down the pit lane. | |||
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Mansell continues down the pit lane. | |||
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Mansell grounds to a halt, blocking the pit lane. | |||
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Mansell punches his steering wheel in frustration, knowing his championship hopes are in dire jeapordy. | |||
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The Williams mechanics illegally work on the car in the pit lane. | |||
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