F2 driver announces shock exit 10 days before new season starts · RaceFans

Formula 2 driver Christian Mansell has stunned the paddock by announcing he will pause his racing career on the eve of the new season.

The Rodin Motorsport driver announced his decision in a social media post today. “Just to let you know for personal reasons I have decided to step away from racing for a little while,” he wrote.

“Will keep you updated as to future plans,” added the 20-year-old.

Mansell was due to start his first full season at his home round in Melbourne next week. Rodin said it will “share further details on our line-up soon” as it is now in need of a new team mate for Zane Maloney.

He gave no reason for the sudden decision to put his racing career on hold. Mansell has type one diabetes and has previously been given a special dispensation to carry a mobile phone in his car so that his blood glucose levels can be monitored remotely during races.

He previously said he wants to be seen as a positive example to others with the condition. “It sounds very cliche, but it is true – if you do put your mind towards it, you genuinely can do anything,” he said.

“That’s why I’m such a big advocate for mental health, and that’s why I’m such a big advocate for sports people living with diabetes. Because at the end of the day, we can do it.

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“I think the more and more that I put myself on the world stage and show kids… I’ve gotten messages from parents saying that their kids would have never done anything sport related. I actually recently had a mother text me on my Instagram saying that their child is now doing karting. So it’s very, very sweet.”

Mansell arrived in the United Kingdom from Australia in 2020. He finished third in the GB3 series the following year, then graduated to Formula 3 the year after. He placed fifth in the championship last season, without a win.

He has started six Formula 2 races to date, all with Trident at the end of last year, peaking with sixth place in the feature race at Losail.