Former IndyCar champion Nigel Mansell has come out in support of the changes now taking place in the category.
The 1992 Formula 1 World Champion switched to CART's IndyCar series in 1993, winning the title in his rookie season (ABOVE). Mansell moved to America when IndyCar racing was at its peak of popularity, but open-wheel racing was hit hard in North America by the CART/IRL split in the years that followed. The reunified series is now going through several changes, with Randy Bernard taking over at the helm from Tony George last year, and a new chassis/engine package on the horizon for 2012. For Mansell, the steps have all been positive.
"I've been following it on the periphery, and it's great to see what's happening there now," Mansell told AUTOSPORT. "America needs an open-wheel category that is well-supported again, and if it does really get going again that would be great for the sport.
"They say that these things often go 'round in a vicious circle [with manufacturer interest], and hopefully now Indy is on the way back up."
Mansell recently became an ambassador for Group Lotus, which last December confirmed its intention to build engines and an aero package for the new concept.