Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell are among the drivers who have previously raced Renault-powered Lotus cars in Formula 1.

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The German's feat saw him equal Nigel Mansell's all-time record of 14 pole positions in a season, set in 1992.

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In 1986, Williams had the fastest car but ended up losing the world championship because Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet took points off each other.

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Other sporting celebrities include Boris Becker, Ian Botham, Zinzan Brooke, Kapil Dev, Darren Gough, Gavin Hastings, Franz Klammer, Michael Lynagh, Nigel Mansell and Sir Steve Redgrave.

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That's just as well - because they look like needing every drop in the most competitive title run-in since the epic battle between Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet and eventual champion Alain Prost in 1986.

BBC: Ferrari need quick solutions

But despite winning nine constructors' titles -- a record bettered only by Ferrari -- and seven drivers' championships, the marque which once employed legendary racers such as Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna has stuttered in recent years.

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