Williams FW10 and FW11 Formula 1 cars, which took victory at Brands Hatch in the hands of 1992 World Champion Nigel Mansell, will return to the Kent circuit on 30-31 May for the Masters Historic Festival. The appearance forms part of Brands Hatch’s ‘Century of Power’ centenary celebrations.
The Williams FW10 was raced by Mansell in the 1984 F1 season and secured Mansell his first career victory at the European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. Designed by Frank Dernie and Patrick Head, the FW10 was a milestone car for Williams, combining a cutting-edge carbonfibre monocoque chassis with a turbocharged 1.5-litre Honda V6. It was also the first Williams to wear the iconic blue, yellow and white Canon livery that became synonymous with the team’s success in the 1980s and early ‘90s.
Mansell’s 1985 challenger, the FW11, was the final machine to record a Grand Prix victory at Brands Hatch. The undulating circuit fell off the F1 calendar in 1986 as the sport’s British races switched exclusively to the larger Silverstone venue. Also designed by Head and Dernie, the FW11 was the class of the field in ‘86 and comfortably won the Constructors’ title with Nelson Piquet and Mansell at the wheel. Mansell also looked set to win that year’s Drivers’ title, until an infamous tyre blowout at the Adelaide finale handed the crown to McLaren’s Alain Prost.
Both cars will form part of a static display at the Masters Historic Festival, which features a race card of historic single seaters, sportscars, GTs and touring cars. Cosworth DFV-equipped machinery will headline the Masters Racing Legend races, with additional demonstration runs for more contemporary Grand Prix cars.
Williams F1 heritage director Jonathan Kennard said it was a ‘real privilege’ for the cars to form part of Brands Hatch’s centenary celebrations.
Advance tickets for the Sunday race day are priced at £33, with discounts for 13-15-year-olds and free entry for under-13s. For tickets and more information, click here.
