Christian Mansell has announced he is to “step away from racing” for personal reasons, just weeks before his scheduled Formula 2 debut.

The Australian, who was due to race for Rodin Motorsports this year in what would be his first full F2 campaign, made the announcement on his social media channels.

Mansell made his F2 debut last year at Baku with Trident, and competed in the final six rounds of the campaign, scoring 10 points.

The Australian competed in the races upon the conclusion of the Formula 3 championship [his third year competing in the series], in which he finished 5th in the standings.

In the statement posted on both his X and Instagram accounts, Mansell concluded: “I will keep you updated as to future plans.”

There is no indication as of yet as to the reasons behind the decision, with fans speculating on social media already that a lack of funding or his health [Mansell is a Type 1 diabetic] might be the cause.

The news will come as a disappointment to his ever-growing fanbase, which has grown in recent years, not only because of his racing abilities, but due to his outspoken support of various social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights and disabilities.

Rodin has announced it will “share further details on our line-up soon”.

READ MORE from Motorsport Week on F2

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Ferrari should be “licking their wounds” over the “short-sighted” decision not to sign Formula 1 design guru Adrian Newey, according to 1992 champion Nigel Mansell.

The Italian marque was considered the leading team to obtain Newey’s coveted services when it was announced earlier this term that he would be departing Red Bull.

But despite meetings taking place between the two parties, a move was ruled out and Newey has since signed to become Aston Martin’s Managing Technical Partner.

Mansell, who drove the Newey-designed Williams FW14B to title glory in 1992, insists that his former team has made a mistake in not bringing the Briton to Maranello.

“The fact that he’s gone to Aston Martin is so wise because he won’t get caught up in the politics of Ferrari and the hype that goes with that,” he told Top Offshore Sportsbooks.

“I think Ferrari should be licking their wounds a little bit because they should have got him, but all credit to Aston Martin. 

“As soon as I heard that Ferrari was baulking at possibly the wage bill that Adrian wanted, I think that was short-sighted of them.

“They lost an opportunity because whoever gets Adrian Newey is almost assured of having a fantastic few years.”

Ferrari reveals talks with Newey

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur revealed that discussions were held with Newey, but a disagreement on how he would be incorporated into the team saw talks collapse.

“Newey? There were discussions, yes,” Vasseur told French newspaper L’Equipe. “But probably his ideas were different from what I had in mind for him.

“Maybe one day we will find common ground. But as I said, it is not an individual that changes the outcome of a team. The group is always stronger than the individual.”

Aston Martin insists Newey will be a ‘bargain’

Newey is reported to have agreed a salary in line with a top F1 driver, but Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll is adamant that his latest acquisition will be a “bargain”.

“I can tell you Adrian is a bargain,” Stroll said. “Certainly, I’ve been in business for over 40 years now, and I’ve never been more certain. 

“It’s not an investment. He’s a shareholder and a partner. So it’s the best partner I can bring into a company. We intend to be around here a very long time together. 

“So it’s relatively inexpensive for everything Adrian brings in a partnership we will have.”

READ MORE: Aston Martin avoiding legal dispute with Adrian Newey F1 talks

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Christian Mansell and Luke Browning will make their FIA Formula 2 debuts in Baku this weekend after both men impressed in Formula 3 this year.

Australian Mansell, who finished fifth with ART in the final F3 standings, will take the place of Roman Stanek at Trident, whilst Williams Academy driver Browning, who fell just short of the title in third, will take Zak O’Sullivan’s drive at ART.

Upon the news of his promotion, Mansell said: “I can’t wait to make my FIA Formula 2 debut with Trident Motorsport.

“I’m extremely happy to race with this Italian team on the Baku street circuit and in the next two events before the end of the season. It will be a fiery debut on a challenging track like the Azerbaijani one, but I must confess I’m more excited than nervous.”

Team Manager Giacomo Ricci said: “We are extremely delighted to field Australian driver Christian Mansell in the next three rounds of the FIA Formula 2 Championship. I consider him one of the most talented emerging drivers we have seen this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, where he was in contention for the title until the final round in Monza.

“Christian is a complete driver, quick in qualifying, and extremely good at managing tyres and overtaking. Making his debut in Baku will certainly be an ambitious goal, not easy at all.

“We have carried out dedicated preparation work with him, and I am convinced that it will pay dividends, especially if there will be no interruptions in the free practice session. I am sure there are all the conditions to do well.”

Browning’s inclusion at ART transpired through O’Sullivan’s incapability to complete the year due to funding issues.

Writing on his X account, O’Sullivan, a fellow Williams Academy driver, said: “Firstly, I want to thank ART GP and Williams Racing for all of the support they have given me. This year we have had some incredible moments, multiple wins and a big highlight of winning the feature race in Monaco.

“Unfortunately in our sport, there are more factors at play than just the stopwatch. The simple issue comes down to funding, I won’t be able to complete this F2 season with ART GP.

“I’m gutted to not be able to show my talents for the rest of the year, but I want to say thank you to all of my sponsors, Williams and all of the supporters who are alongside me during this journey. Your support has been invaluable and I can’t wait to be able to drive for you and with you again soon.”

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ART Grand Prix Formula 3 driver Christian Mansell has concluded that the infamous Eau Rogue and Raidillon section of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit should remain, despite conversations in recent years about alterations after the deaths of two junior drivers.

Promising Frenchman Anthoine Hubert was killed at Eau Rogue in a Formula 2 crash in 2019 in dry conditions, whilst Dutch teenager Dilano van ‘t Hoff perished in the wet at the Kemmel kink just after the complex last year.

The deaths, as well as other accidents – including one that caused collarbone and vertebra injuries to Jack Aitken in WEC three years ago – have caused discussions in the motorsport community as to whether the section of the track should remain, but Mansell, despite acknowledging the dangers involved, believes that, on balance, the status quo should be maintained, believing that all drivers are aware of the risks involved.

“It’s a sensitive topic, and it isn’t nice to speak about,” he told Motorsport Week, adding: “The only thing I can say is that motorsport is dangerous. We have the same percentage of having an accident at every single circuit, and it is what it is to a certain degree.

“I love what I do more than anything in the world, but I’m not naive enough to know there isn’t risks I take, but at at the end of the day, my love of the sport outweighs the fear of having a major accident.

“The changes they have made to Eau Rogue and Raidillon I think were quite good, and back to the question: ‘should it even be there?’ It should to a certain degree because you’d take away a historic corner, but the question is: ‘would you keep a dangerous corner because of the history?’ Well, in fairness, it’s situation-dependent.

“Unfortunately, two young people have lost their lives and that’s very very sad, but as a percentage, that’s quite low. That’s sad and quite cut-throat to say, but we all know it’s dangerous and we all know the risk.”

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1992 Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell feels that age won’t be a factor in Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit of a record eighth title with Ferrari in 2025 and beyond.

Ferrari announced Thursday that Hamilton had signed a multi-year deal with the Scuderia starting in the ’25 season, by which time he would have turned 40.

Still, Mansell, who was 39 when he won his long-awaited title with the Williams team believes motivation is more important than age when it comes to chasing F1 glory.

“People are saying Lewis is now too old,” Mansell told BBC Sport.

“At 39? No. I won my championship at 39 and I could have gone on, but the politics got involved.

“But Lewis, if he’s motivated, he’s got several, if not a lot more years left, I think it’s just fantastic.”

Hamilton told Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera in 2021 that “I honestly hope I’m not racing at 40,” but has since changed tact.

The Brit undoubtedly will continue to be motivated by his goal of attaining an eighth world title and his form in 2023 suggests age isn’t a limiting factor after comprehensively beating team-mate George Russell in the Drivers’ standings, 234 points to 175 and six podium finishes to two.

As well as this, Fernando Alonso’s resurgence at Aston Martin at the age of 42 also backs up Mansell’s claim and the former racer is excited to see Hamilton do battle with his rivals next year and beyond.

“Yes, Lewis can do it, but I’m sure Max [Verstappen] will do everything he can to stop him,” Mansell added.

“And I’m sure Ferrari this next year will do everything they can to stop him.

“But I think we’ve got a great Formula 1 season coming up, and it certainly looks like we’re going to have an exciting one in 2025.”

In 2025, Hamilton will become the first Englishman to drive for Ferrari since Mansell joined the Scuderia in 1989.

Mansell immediately endeared himself to the Tifosi by winning the opening race of the ’89 season after McLaren dominated the previous year and similarly spirited displays earned him the nickname ‘Il Leone’ (The Lion).

With regards to Hamilton, Mansell believes he’s secured a “dream” move to Maranello.

“I think it’s fantastic for the fans and it’s incredibly dynamic,” he commented.

“I think for Lewis, he’ll probably go on and finish his career with Ferrari, it’s like a dream come true for him, I would imagine, because going to Ferrari is everything.”

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Campos Racing has confirmed the first driver in its 2023 FIA Formula 3 line-up, penning a deal with Christian Mansell.

Mansell made his debut in the F3 series last year with Charouz, competing in the rounds at the Hungaroring and Spa-Francorchamps.

The Briton raced full time in the Euroformula Open Championship this year, finishing third in the Drivers’ Championship. 

“To be joining Campos for FIA F3 in 2023 is such an incredible honour, and achievement,” said Mansell. 

“With a strong showing in the latter part of the season it gives me confidence I can do well in my opening year in FIA F3. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!”

Campos ended the 2022 F3 campaign eighth in the standings, taking one race victory across the year.

Team Principal Adrian Campos said of Mansell’s signing: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to Christian (Mansell) on behalf of Campos Racing. 

“It will be a huge challenge for him as it will be his rookie season in the FIA Formula 3, which is an extremely competitive racing series. His previous results, a race winner in other championships, explain well he is a talented driver.

“Besides, due to his diabetic condition, Christian is an example to follow for everybody as he proves what you can achieve with commitment and determination, even at the highest motorsport level.”

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1992 Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell got back behind the wheel of the Williams FW14B car on Sunday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

It marked the first time that Mansell has driven the car since the final race of the 1992 campaign in Australia.

The car is one of the most historic and dominant challenges in Formula 1 history, with Mansell taking nine race wins from 16 outings 30 years ago.

Designed by a team consisting of Patrick Head, Adrian Newey and Paddy Lowe, the car was streaks ahead of its competition, utilising an active suspension, a semi-automatic gearbox and traction control.

Mansell drove a number of his old Ferrari F1 cars at Goodwood, before climbing back behind the wheel of the Williams car on Sunday.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be here at Goodwood in my anniversary year and not only to see this car again, but to make the journey up this hill has been a very special moment for Williams and myself,” Mansell said.

“I am thrilled to be here with the team, and it was great to be back behind the wheel of this exceptional race car. 

“It’s been a very emotional moment to drive in front of the fans from all over the world and a memory I am going to cherish.” 

Mansell is one of the most successful drivers in the sport’s history, taking 31 grands prix wins, 32 pole positions and 59 podiums, as well as his 1992 Drivers’ title.

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