Christian Mansell on Australian GP optimism, his F3 experience, and friendship with Pepe Marti
Australian Christian Mansell is optimistic that his experience in his sophomore year of Formula 3 will make him a contender at his home grand prix.
Christian Mansell after finishing second in the FIA Formula 3 feature race in Bahrain. (Pauline Ballet/Formula Motorsport Limited/Getty Images)
The 19-year-old from Newcastle enters his second Australian Grand Prix confident in his knowledge of the circuit, as well as a positive result in the season opener at Bahrain.
“I’m very, very optimistic for Melbourne, for sure,” he said, bounding around the FIA Formula 3 paddock after taking second place in the feature race in round one.
“It was always quite hard to tell [in Bahrain] because the rookies had three days of testing to get used to the track, get used to the car.”
“But Melbourne, I have a feeling that it’ll be proper.”
Qualifying eighth in round one, Mansell could only manage fourteenth in the sprint race after a lack of pace saw him drop through the field in the late stages, but made up for it with a triumphant podium in Saturday’s feature race.
It was a proving ground for the UK-based Aussie, who has spoken about moving to team ART Grand Prix for his second year in the championship and taking on more of a leadership role.
It’s something he agrees is already bearing out after one round.
“I’ve got so much trust in this team and I think they have trust in me,” he said.
“It’s been exceptional coming into this team, I mean the resources… and I have not a bad word to say about Campos, they were excellent.”
“But ART, the pedigree they have, and the people they have, it is what you would like to hope is a level above.
“Anyone who is anyone is thanks to ART, and hopefully one day I join that list.”
Mansell in Bahrain during pre-season testing. (James Sutton/Formula Motorsport Limited/Getty Images)
It wasn’t his only podium celebration of the weekend in Bahrain, rushing to pit lane to embrace friend Josep Maria “Pepe” Martí after the Spaniard finished third in his FIA Formula 2 debut.
“I wouldn’t have missed his first F2 podium for the world,” Mansell says of his former teammate.”
“He’s one of my best friends and he will be my best friend for life, you know? He’s the kind of guy that you would pick to be your best man at your wedding if you didn’t have a brother.”
“I’m so fortunate to have such a good friend, and also Sebastián Montoya is another one of my best friends, we’re like a trio.”
“It’s me, Sebastian, and Pepe, we’re all so, so close, and I’ve got so much time for each and every one of those boys.
Pepe Martí celebrates with Campos Racing teammates in Bahrain. (Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool/Supplied)
On cue, Mansell pauses to run to the track fencing to watch the Formula 2 field begin their feature race, in which Martí would go one better to finish in second place.
“It was such a huge moment for Pepe, I just wouldn’t have missed that,” says Mansell. “And if Seb had an amazing result in whatever category, I would want to be there straight away.”
“It just goes to show, we all have our teams, we all have our mates, we all have our little circles of security, and I think it’s important to have friends in such a lonely sport.”
It’s a sweet moment of reflection from Mansell, and a relevant message as he returns to Australia and his home grand prix at Albert Park.
The FIA Formula 3 field hits the track from 8.50am on Friday (AEDT).
Watch every race of the FIA Formula 3 season on Kayo Sports.
