British world champion honoured in light of his overtake at fearsome Peraltada corner during 1990 race
Tuesday 22 September 2015 09:34, UK
Organisers of the Mexican GP, which returns to the F1 calendar in November, have revealed that the final corner of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit has been named in honour of Nigel Mansell.
Mansell, who won the last race there in 1992, the year he also became world champion, famously passed Gerhard Berger around the outside of the last turn - then known as Peraltada - during the 1990 race.
Peraltada - at the time a 180-degree banked, and bumpy, corner - was seen as one of the most fearsome in F1.
The right-hander has been since been redeveloped for safety reasons, but organisers say they "couldn't think of a more appropriate section of the 4.3km track to name after the British racing icon".
"I have extremely fond memories of racing in Mexico City," Mansell was quoted on the official Formula 1 website. "The people, the energy and the track itself were all highlights of the F1 calendar back then for me.
"When I found out about the turn-naming, of course I was delighted. Flattered, proud and delighted in equal measure.
"The news instantly brought to mind my unexpected overtaking manoeuvre on Gerhard Berger actually on the old Peraltada section to come in second behind my Ferrari team-mate Alain Prost back in 1990 - I can't believe that was 25 years ago and that it's been 23 years since my last win at the track.
"I've carefully observed what the organisers have been doing and I'm really looking forward to seeing it for myself a little later this year."
The race will be held on November 1.
