Warwick tips Mansell for Qatar win

Mansell dominated the inaugural race for over 45-year-old ex-Formula One drivers in Kyalami last November, where Warwick finished fifth.

Despite everyone being on a level playing field this weekend because the Losail International Circuit in Qatar has never hosted a car race before, Warwick believes that Mansell will be the benchmark.

"For me the measurement is always going to be Nigel," Warwick told autosport.com. "Nigel creates publicity and it is fantastic to have him on board. He is the bar we should all measure ourselves. If we beat Nigel this weekend then we have won the race. He is always going to be fast and great.

"I don't plan on poodling around and I am still doing it to win. If I didn't think I could beat Nigel and Emerson I wouldn't have committed. I'm not bulshy and I don't go out saying to everybody that I'm going to win but I have enough inner confidence in myself to know I am capable of a good weekend."

Warwick also believes that the inclusion of drivers such as Eric Van de Poele, who only started five Grands Prix in his F1 career, does not devalue the series.

"People must realise that drivers such as Eric Van de Poele and Pier Luigi Martini are fast, committed, very, very good drivers. They will upset a few people this year.

"Some people have not had amazing Formula One careers for whatever reason. Eric was a good race driver, quick and committed to his life but his career just stalled.

"Was he going enough to win a race? Well that is questionable, but there very few that have done that. But only when I get asked about it do I feel disappointed. It's not something we wake up and think about."