Motor Racing / Champion's Challenge: Mansell makes his move into Indycar series: Having mastered Formula One, Britain's premier driver heads west to compete for America's biggest prize

NIGEL MANSELL, the Formula One world champion, confirmed yesterday that he will seek a new challenge in racing and drive a Lola-Ford for the Newman-Haas team in next year's Indycar series.

The signing was announced in simultaneous communiques from the team's co-owners, Paul Newman, the film actor, and Carl Haas in the United States, and Mansell, on the Isle of Man.

Mansell, who is turning his back on grand prix racing after failing to reach agreement on a 1993 contract with Williams-Renault, will partner Mario Andretti, one of his team-mates when he made his Formula One debut with Lotus in 1980, giving Newman-Haas the first pairing of world champions in Indycars.

The Englishman said: 'Indycar racing is a wonderful new challenge for me. I've seen quite a few races on television, and the competition is clearly good. Indianapolis and the other ovals will be a new experience. I'm ready to give it a go.

'Newman-Haas is one of the few teams in the world I would consider. Paul Newman and Carl Haas have achieved a fantastic record of success in Indycars and I'm looking forward to being part of that. My family and I enjoy America, so that's another positive factor for me in my decision.'

Mansell, who has a home in Florida, clearly wants first-hand experience of Indycars before committing himself to the category long-term but then, at the age of 39, he is a comparative fledgling. Andretti is 52 and Emerson Fittipaldi, the third Formula One champion on the scene, is 45.

Newman-Haas regard the capture of the reigning Formula One champion as a major coup and are reported to be paying more than pounds 3m for the privilege.

Haas said: 'Nigel Mansell obviously is one of the best drivers in the world. Any time a driver of that calibre becomes available, you have to be interested. Nigel and I have known each other for a long time and I am extremely pleased that he is joining our team.

'I believe Nigel will create a lot of excitement in the Indycar series. His aggressive style is sure to please the American fans and his presence will give Indycar racing a whole new following in Europe.'

The Newman-Haas team have claimed 36 Indycar wins and 44 pole positions since the team was formed in 1983. Andretti, three times a title winner, took the championship for the team in 1984 and his son, Michael, was champion last year. It is Michael's switch to Formula One, with McLaren, which leaves the vacancy at Newman-Haas.

Mansell will be introduced to the American public in the near future, but is not likely to test his Indycar until the new year. He still has three rounds of the Formula One world championship to complete and is anxious to win at least one of them to achieve a record ninth victory of the season.

Mansell began the season by reeling off a record five consecutive victories but his hopes of continuing with Williams next season were dogged by problems. The protracted negotiations ended after last Sunday's Italian Grand Prix when Mansell said he would retire.

Williams, meanwhile, have at last admitted that Alain Prost will be in one of their cars next year. Frank Williams, the team's managing director, said last night: 'It was always meant to be Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost, not Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell.'

Williams confirmed that he had spoken to Ayrton Senna but rated his chances of hiring the Brazilian as 'slim to nil'. Prost has a clause in his contract excluding Senna and said earlier this week that such an arrangement would be 'war' between them.

Williams said that Martin Brundle was 'high on my list' for the other seat and that he preferred an experienced driver. That appears to rule out Damon Hill and Mark Blundell.

Commenting on Mansell's decision to race in Indycars, Williams said: 'I wish him well.'

(Photograph omitted)