British Grand Prix 1991 - Race Schedule and Countdown
British Grand Prix
Silverstone • UK
Jul 14, 1991 2:00 PM
Race Results
Race Summary
Nigel Mansell produced one of the greatest drives in British Grand Prix history at Silverstone, delivering a thrilling victory in front of his adoring home crowd after an epic wheel-to-wheel battle with championship leader Ayrton Senna. Starting from pole position, Mansell engaged in an unforgettable duel with Senna that saw the two titans trade positions multiple times in a display of racecraft that captivated the 100,000-strong crowd. Mansell's final pass on Senna at Stowe corner with just a handful of laps remaining sent the British fans into raptures and secured one of the most popular victories in Formula 1 history.
Gerhard Berger finished second for McLaren after Senna retired with gearbox failure while running in contention for the win, denying fans the climactic finish they craved. The Austrian benefited from his teammate's misfortune to inherit second place, though he had been unable to match the pace of Mansell and Senna's titanic struggle at the front. Alain Prost completed the podium for Ferrari in third place, delivering a solid if unspectacular performance that kept him in the hunt for points.
The race is remembered as one of the defining moments of the 1991 season and a watershed moment for Williams-Renault. Mansell's victory, achieved through superior racecraft and an inspired drive in front of his passionate supporters, proved that Williams could beat Senna and McLaren in a straight fight. The sight of Mansell holding off Senna lap after lap showcased the Englishman's sublime car control and racing instinct, cementing his status as a British sporting hero and signaling that the 1992 championship battle would be fiercely contested.