Mansell to drive newly-restored Williams FW11 at Goodwood

Nigel Mansell is set to be reunited with his iconic 1986 Williams FW11 at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking the first time he's driven the car since his near-championship season. The FW11, which secured the 1986 Constructors’ Championship for Williams, has undergone a meticulous, period-correct restoration in a landmark collaboration between Williams Heritage and Honda. The car's return to the track at Goodwood, from July 10-13, will see Mansell get behind the wheel on Saturday, July 12. The FW11 is famously remembered for Mansell's heartbreaking tyre failure in the 1986 season finale, which cost him the Drivers' Championship. Beyond that pivotal moment, the FW11 was also celebrated for its groundbreaking technology, including a pushrod front and pullrod rear double wishbone suspension, a six-speed manual gearbox, and Honda’s powerful RA166E 1.5L V6 twin-turbo engine. Joining Mansell in driving the FW11 at Goodwood will be former Williams race winners Thierry Boutsen and Riccardo Patrese, along with Williams Heritage Ambassador Karun Chandhok. In addition to the FW11, Williams will also showcase Mansell's 1992 championship-winning FW14B, with Williams Team Principal James Vowles, Jamie Chadwick, and Lia Block also slated to pilot the legendary machine. Williams Team Principal James Vowles expressed immense pride in celebrating the team's rich history, highlighting the restored FW11 as a testament to the era of engineering excellence and championship success forged with Honda. Jonathan Kennard, Heritage Director at Williams, described the FW11 restoration as a "true labour of love" and an "unforgettable and deeply meaningful moment" for all involved, especially seeing it reunite with Mansell. Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), emphasized the FW11's significance as a milestone in Honda's F1 journey, representing a perfect blend of engine performance and chassis dynamics, and a fitting celebration of 75 years of Formula 1.