Christian Mansell Reveals ADHD Diagnosis, Plans Racing Return After Mental Health Break
After a year-long hiatus for mental health reasons, rising star Christian Mansell reveals an ADHD diagnosis and confirms his planned return to racing in 2026, starting with an endurance event in Abu Dhabi.
Rising Australian driver Christian Mansell has revealed that his sudden break from racing in 2025 was due to a severe mental health struggle, culminating in a diagnosis of ADHD. After stepping away from a promising F2 campaign with Rodin Motorsport, Mansell spent the past year focusing on his well-being and is now ready to return to competitive action. His decision to speak out sheds light on the immense pressure young drivers face beyond the track.
Why it matters:
Mansell's story challenges the "tough it out" culture prevalent in motorsport, where mental health struggles are often hidden behind a facade of strength. His openness could pave the way for other drivers to seek help without fear of judgment, potentially improving overall driver welfare in a high-stakes environment. For a talent on the cusp of F1, his successful return would be a powerful testament to managing personal health alongside a high-performance career.
The details:
- The Break: Mansell stepped away just before the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, despite being set for a full-time F2 season after a strong 2024 campaign (5th in F3, points in F2 debut).
- The Diagnosis: In a social media post, he revealed a diagnosis of both types of ADHD, a condition he now realizes has affected him since childhood. He described being in a "pretty dark place" at the start of 2025.
- The Struggle: Mansell admitted to trying to "bottle it up," a common response in a sport that prizes mental fortitude, noting that undiagnosed ADHD for 14 years "hasn't helped me in the slightest."
- The Return: He is set to make his competitive comeback at the Michelin 6 Hours of Abu Dhabi this month, driving a Team Motopark Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.
What's next:
Mansell's immediate focus is on his return to competition in GT racing, a significant step in his recovery and a new challenge. While his long-term goal in the F1 feeder series remains unclear, his ability to confront his mental health and return to the cockpit is a victory in itself. The motorsport world will be watching to see if a healthier, more self-aware Mansell can fulfill the immense promise he showed before his hiatus.