RACING legend Nigel Mansell pleased scores of fans by popping into Southampton to sign his new autobiography.

The 1992 Formula One World Champion ended his book signing tour in Waterstones, in West Quay, after travelling across the country.

Eager fans queued for almost two hours to get their copy of Staying on Track: The Autobiography and were not disappointed by the man himself.

Mansell said: “It has been a brilliant couple of weeks and a big surprise.

“It has been really good going because everywhere we have been, the people have been absolutely brilliant.

“The book is something totally new, there is a lot of philosophy in it and there is a theme about life getting you down and bouncing back."

“There is one chapter on how to drive a Formula One car and it is exhilarating to read because it transcends you into the car.”

Daily Echo:

Fans line up outside Waterstones in West Quay to meet Nigel Mansell

Talking about the state of the Formula One today, Mansell said: “It’s Lewis’s now to lose and I think he is a great world champion again.”

And speaking about the recent calls to make the cockpit of Formula One cars closed, he said: “I hope it is kept open, Formula One is a dangerous sport but it is as safe as it can be.”

By Felix Morris