©Paul-Henri Cahier
On this day in 1986, Nigel Mansell celebrated a triumphant victory on his home turf at Brands Hatch, captivating the crowd with an awe-inspiring performance.
However, the day's excitement was marred by a devastating incident that unfolded when Thierry Boutsen lost control of his Arrows shortly after the start and triggered a massive pile-up.
Tragically, Ligier's Jacques Laffite, innocently caught up in the chaos, collided head-on with a barrier.
The 42-year-old Frenchman was matching on that day Graham Hill's remarkable record of 176 grand prix starts, but Laffite's unfortunate crash marked the end of his illustrious Formula 1 career.
Emergency crews worked diligently to extract Laffite from the wreckage, and after an hour-and-a-half delay, the race resumed.
Mansell swiftly regained his momentum, seizing an early lead and facing only fleeting concerns in the closing laps as he eased off to conserve precious fuel.
