In the summer of 1980, I was at Goodwood for a test session. Before I reached the pits, I bumped into Les Thacker, the Competition Manager of BP, who was picking up the tab for the Toleman Formula 2 team, who was dominating the season.

Mike Lawrence
Mike Lawrence

โ€œAnything interesting?โ€ I asked. โ€œThe new Ralt-Honda is being shaken down,โ€ was his reply. โ€œWhoโ€™s driving?โ€ I inquired. โ€œMansell.โ€ โ€œGood grief,โ€ I said, โ€œwhy?โ€ Les shrugged; we were of the same mind: Mansell was a waste of space.

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