From: wboatclb@ccvax.ucd.ie
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport
Subject: Mansell brake tests Senna
Date: 10 Nov 92 16:00:33 GMT
Organization: University College Dublin


   Hi, after reading countless posts on the Senna/Mansell incident, I
 thought I'd better add my 2 pence worth. First of all, I haven't seen
 many replays, (no VCR) only what was shown on the BBC highlights. 

   Anyway, I firmly believe that Mansell brake tested Senna and was 
 therefore an accident of his own making. 
 
  1) During Murray Walkers interview with Mansell after the race, 
     Walker asked Mansell if he brake tested Senna. Now Mansell
     didn't say he did brake test Senna, but went on to went on to
     talk about the Monaco GP, saying that when he was following 
     closely behind Senna, Senna was brake testing him. Mansell did
     not critisize Senna for doing this at Monaco, instead said
     that it was the duty of the following driver to avoid contact
     with the driver in front. Mansell's tone was that it was OK to
     brake test a driver following closely behind. Mansell did not
     confirm or deny that he brake tested Senna. (all of this from
     memory, maybe someone with a tape of the interview could
     provide some quotes or even better, a full transcript of the
     interview.)

  2) Did you see how quickly Mansell ran away after the crash? It 
     seems to me that Mansell was trying to avoid a very angry
     Senna. Senna had every reason to be angry. Nobody brake tests
     a 3 time world champion. Mansell knew that he was at fault and 
     ran to the safety of his pit. 

  3) Mansell was traveling slower than usual approaching the corner.
     Usually a slower car needs less distance on the track to slow 
     down, but Mansell started to brake a few car lenghts _earlier_
     not later as one would have expected. 

  4) Senna, did attemt to avoid contact with Mansell, but only
     succeeded in hitting him sideways since he was so close.
                                                           
  5) Mansell is still a bit sore after being lulled into making
     silly mistakes earlier on this season by Senna. Remember the
     Canadian and German GP's? The Adelaide GP is Mansell's last
     and he desperately wanted to get get his own back on Senna.
     However Mansell's plan has backfired on him.
 
  6) Mansell has nothing to lose. Mansell already holds all the 
     records. What's an extra few points when you've got over one
     hundred already? Sure, he has never won at Adelaide before,
     but he hasn't in Japan either. Letting Patrese go through
     shows how much he wants to win.
   
  7) Senna had everything to gain (by staying on the track). Senna
     was 4th in the championship and by finishing 1st or 2nd in this
     race he could've moved up to 2nd in the championship. This is
     quite respectable in an `inferiour car'.


  I used to be Mansell fan but this year his constant whining and
  cowardness in not wanting to race Prost in an equal car have turned 
  me against him. This episode only confirms to me that he's better
  off in America. 

  Roberto.

  p.s. This article is weighed heavily against Mansell because everybody
       else on the net (and the race comentators) seems to be anti-Senna
       and wouldn't dare critisize 'Our Nige'.

  p.p.s. Flame away if you must, I'm only putting some balance in this 
         discussion.

  p.p.p.s. 3 cheers to Jordan and Yahama. The very last point of the
           season means they won't have to prequalify next year. :-)