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ITV
Nigel Mansell described his return to Silverstone - the scene of some of his greatest triumphs - as "a dream" after completing two days testing for the new Grand Prix Masters series.
The 1992 world champion joined Emerson Fittipaldi, Patrick Tambay, Riccardo Patrese and Derek Warwick as well as several other former Formula 1 stars who acclimatised themselves to the self-styled "seniors tour" on Wednesday and Thursday.
The GPM series is aimed at drivers over 45 years-old with F1 pedigree.
And Mansell claims the new concept, which plans to have 14 cars lined up on the grid for the first race at South Africa's Kyalami track on November 13, will be a real crowd-puller.
"For me, this is long overdue," he said.
"You have this sort of thing in tennis, golf and soccer. It has been muted for seven years or more.
"This is fantastic for motorsport and for the fans it is even more fantastic."
Mansell said the 600bhp, Delta Motorsport-produced Grand Prix Masters cars are great fun to drive, and with their lack of traction control and "electronic gizmos" provide drivers with a "proper challenge".
"Do you know, joking apart, I never thought anything in motorsport would surpass my expectation because it is quite high, and if I am truthful I think they are too quick!" he said.
"They are awesome, no power steering, no traction control, driver input up and down the gears, the brakes you have to pay attention to, they are steel, but the whole concept and set-up and balance of the car is really challenging.
"It is a handful and it gets your attention and I think this is why these drivers have gravitated to it.
"This concept is unbelievable."
Proper racing in proper cars.................
