UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > GP Masters: Mansell Wins

Kyalami opener a slow burner

It was perhaps with a hint of the inevitable that Nigel Mansell led home Emerson Fittipaldi, the only other former World Champion in the field, in the Kyalami opener of the much vaunted GP Masters series.

It was also inevitable that, with the return of the legendary drivers accompanied by the return of THE legendary commentator, the show would begin with a typical 'Murray-ism.'

Indeed the BBC broadcast began promisingly with the following:

"There's Fittipaldi, in what looks like an identical car to Mansell's, because it is!"

And instantly viewers were transported back a decade to the days when 'Muddly-talkers' many entertaining gaffes were often the highlight of the show.

That is not to detract from Murray's unwavering enthusiasm and well-known knowledge of the sport, merely to highlight what a throwback this series could be, with the 600BHP 'unaided' single seaters driven by an eclectic bunch whose participation in F1 covered a total of well over 20 years.

From the rolling start it was clear the field were taking it easy, acclimatising themselves to the art of racing again, and it can truthfully be said that, apart from Stefan Johansson losing it in a corner and bringing out the Safety Car, nothing much happened for a while.

Past half distance, however, and the drivers began to find their feet. 'Nige' and 'Emmo' were never more than a second apart and pulled away from the pack led by Riccardo Patrese. These three would finish in that order.

Behind these the action was interesting, if rather sporadic. Hans Stuck, always a spectacular performer, did not disappoint in a stirring drive to sixth place, while Andrea de Cesaris and Derek Warwick, who finished fourth and fifth, duelled throughout the last ten laps, passing and repassing in well executed moves.

Christian Danner finished seventh with Eddie Cheever eighth having passed Jan Lammers on the last lap. Lammers, a pre-race favourite of many, ran fourth for most of the race before fading away to ninth ahead of Eliseo Salazar.

With Patrick Tambay at the tail of the field, it fell to old friends Jacques Laffite and Rene Arnoux to collide towards the end, joining Johansson on the retirements list.

A success, then, for what is proposed as the first of a series of races, although further rounds have yet to be confirmed. With Alain Prost in line to join the series, and Alan Jones regaining race fitness, a full series could be an interesting prospect.

Written: Sun, 13 Nov 2005 17:31:12