Formula 1 legend Nigel Mansell returning to Williams for charity night in aid of UK Youth

Renowned motor racing legend Nigel Mansell CBE is set to make a special return to the factory home of his racing career for an intimate charity evening.

The 1992 Formula 1 World Champion is hosting the event at the home of the Williams Racing team on May 22, 2024.

Nigel is president of national youth work charity UK Youth and proceeds from the evening will go towards empowering young lives across the UK through the charity’s work.

Nigel said: “I am really excited to be returning to the factory home of Williams and am looking forward to an evening sharing stories of Formula 1, my racing career and beyond, all in aid of UK Youth, a great cause which is close to my heart. It will truly be a unique night, with no holds barred as I can relax in familiar surroundings and share stories never heard before.”

Nigel won 31 Grands Prix during his career – 28 with Williams and three with Ferrari – including the British Grand Prix on four occasions, as well as the FIA Formula One Drivers’ championship with Williams in 1992.

Having also been crowned Indy Car champion in 1993 and BBC Sports Personality of the Year twice, in 1986 and 1992, as well as being inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in America in 2006, Nigel’s legacy is unparalleled.

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org

Nigel’s involvement with the charity stems back to the 1990s, when it ran a programme to teach young people about cars, including safe driving practices. Since he became president in 1999, he has worked tirelessly to support and promote the charity, including raising funds by cycling from John O’Groats to Paris, hosting golf days, launching a successful UK Youth cycling team and arranging for a McLaren F1 car to carry the UK Youth logo.

Ndidi Okezie OBE, UK Youth Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are so grateful to Nigel and to Williams for agreeing to host his wonderful event, which promises to be an incredibly special evening.

“Nigel’s passion for youth work is unwavering and his support for UK Youth over his many years as president has been wonderful to see. He shares UK Youth’s vision for every young person to not only thrive, but actively contribute to their communities and during our time working together, he has become a great friend.”

An Audience with Nigel Mansell takes place at the Williams Racing Experience Centre, home to one of the largest private collections of F1 cars in the world, at the Williams HQ in Wantage, Oxfordshire.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted with drinks and canapés, all while immersing themselves in the history of Williams Racing, with team experts. Delegates will then head into the Frank Williams Theatre for a behind-the-scenes interview with Nigel, who will share his captivating stories from the height of his career and beyond.

The event promises to be an intimate and unforgettable evening and is strictly limited to 200 guests, with individual tickets priced at £150.

For group bookings, please register interest by emailing Neylissa Neto da Silva, UK Youth Events Manager, at neylissa.netodasilva@ukyouth.org. Individual tickets go on sale on March 6 via Eventbrite.

UK Youth is involved in various programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch, a youth employability programme run in partnership with KFC. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes