F1 Drivers with the most wins ever (Part 1)

#7 - Nigel Mansell (31)

Mansell won his final race in 1994, at the age of 41

It took almost 6 seasons for Nigel Mansell to win his first F1 race, but this proved to be the catalyst he needed to become one of the sport's best drivers. The late 80s and early 90s were Formula 1's golden years to many people, with world-class drivers making up a large portion of the grid.

Mansell had his first title challenge driving for Williams in 1986, standing on the top step of the podium 5 times but this wasn't enough to beat Alain Prost, Nigel missed out on the title because of heart-breaking tyre failure in Australia.

1987 was a similar story, winning on six occasions but again missing out on the driver's title. Williams were forced to use the uncompetitive Judd engine for 1988, a season when McLaren-Honda were at their peak and Mansell changed blue overalls for red ones.

1989 was Mansell's first season for Ferrari and he won his first race for the Scuderia in Brazil, his Ferrari debut. The 640 was fast but it was hopelessly unreliable, Mansell claiming podiums every time he finished, but retiring 9 times during that period.

The arrival of Prost at Ferrari for 1990 spelt the end for Mansell's title challenge, being demoted to number 2 driver before announcing his retirement before the end of the season, but his old boss Frank Williams managed to reverse this decision with a lucrative drive.

Going back his first retirement was the best decision Red 5 made, as an incredible FW14B powered him to his only drivers' title in 1992, winning 9 races along the way. He'd be forced to sit 1993 out, but Mansell was brought back to Williams for a brief cameo at the end of 1994, providing an experienced backup to Damon Hill's unsuccessful title challenge.

He drove two races for McLaren in 1995 and retired from the sport.