Grand Prix Gold: 1987 British GP
It was Piquet's race to lose in 1987, but in perhaps the most famous pursuit in British Grand Prix history Nigel Mansell denied his Williams team-mate with a virtuoso win in front of his adoring fans. Read Nigel Roebuck's report from the time
Thrills of the chase
In terms of raw statistics, Sunday's British Grand Prix will stand as a carbon copy of the 1986 race. The tracks were different, granted, but the essential cast was unchanged: Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Williams chassis, Honda horsepower. They made the afternoon a private affair, onlookers welcome. As at Brands, the third man was lapped. As at Brands, Piquet stole the pole. As at Brands, it didn't look as though Mansell would win. As at Brands, he did. But this time he left it late. For 62 and a half of the 65 laps, it was Piquet who stomped by in the lead. The rest - the important part - belonged to Mansell.
Emotionally he thanked the crowd afterwards for their support, their part in his victory. It was their victory, too, he said. Not a dry eye in the house.
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