{"id":213099,"date":"2026-01-02T11:48:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T11:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/213099\/"},"modified":"2026-01-02T11:48:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T11:48:14","slug":"formula-2-news-mansell-explains-racing-absence-mental-health-battle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/213099\/","title":{"rendered":"Formula 2 news: Mansell explains racing absence, mental health battle"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Mansell
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChristian Mansell has detailed his battle with mental health. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n

Mansell was due to contest the FIA F2 season in 2025 only to announce a week out from the Australian Grand Prix that he was taking an indefinite break from racing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There was no reason given for the unexpected sabbatical at the time with Mansell only now explaining what forced him to walk away from the sport.<\/p>\n

In a heartfelt social media post, Mansell outlined how previously undiagnosed ADHD had left him in a dark place with his mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201c2025, what an absolute write off of a year,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn all seriousness this year completely broke me, I\u2019ve never been so tested in all my life. I\u2019ve had to overcome adversities that I never wanted or asked for, and that was so difficult.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year I was diagnosed with ADHD, something that I later found ran my entire life since I was around six years old.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always felt off, different, too loud, too quiet, zoning out of conversations, unexplainable and unpredictable emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always liked to think I was an over achiever, so when it came back I was 99 percent confirmed for both types of ADHD nobody was surprised. It honestly explains everything for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo with that being said having it undiagnosed for 14 years hasn\u2019t helped me in the slightest. My battle with mental health was something I was losing grip on and I found myself in a pretty dark place at the start of this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I man I was silly and tried to bottle it up (spoiler alert, it doesn\u2019t work).<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you can take from this is 2026 is a year for me that signifies change. I\u2019ve changed the way my brain works, I\u2019ve changed my relationship with mental health and have it well within my grasp.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I have a completely different view on life and why it\u2019s so worth living for.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to the people around me; my family, Gaby, Joe, Seb and Pepe and all my other friends who I hold close. Thank you infinitely for supporting me in what was my hardest time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m wishing everyone a happy new year and I can\u2019t wait to welcome 2026. Love you all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mansell has already locked in a return to racing with an entry in the Michelin 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi on January 9-10<\/a>.<\/p>\n


\"\"\/
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