1-193-123 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

Nigel Mansell, c1985-c1992. When he won the World Drivers' Championship in 1992, Nigel Mansell became the first British champion since James Hunt 16 years earlier. An immensely popular driver with British motor racing fans, Mansell won 31 Grands Prix in a career which began in 1980. He completely dominated his Championship-winning season, winning 9 of the 16 races, including all the first 5. The next season he left Formula 1 for Indycar racing in America, winning the Championship at his only attempt. After two unsuccessful flirtations with a return to Formula 1, Mansell retired from racing in 1995, returning to the sport for a season racing touring cars in 1998.