Australian talent shares mental health update after stepping away from racing

21:01, 03 Jan

byKada Sarkozi

Australian talent Christian Mansell shared an update on his mental health after stepping away from Formula 2 ahead of the 2025 season.

"What you can take from this is 2026 is a year for me that signifies change. I’ve changed the way my brain works, I’ve changed my relationship with mental health and have it well within my grasp."

- Christian Mansell

Mansell was meant to compete for Rodin Motorsport in Formula 2 during the 2025 season.

He finished fifth in the standings in F3 in 2024, and scored 10 points in F2 as well during the final three weekends of that season.

However, before the season began in Australia, the youngster announced that he was stepping away from racing.

In a post on social media, Mansell has now shared an update. He wrote: "2025, what an absolute write off of a year. In all seriousness this year completely broke me, I’ve never been so tested in all my life. I’ve had to overcome adversities that I never wanted or asked for, and that was so difficult.

"This year I was diagnosed with ADHD, something that I later found ran my entire life since I was around 6 years old. I’ve always felt off, different, too loud, too quiet, zoning out of conversations, unexplainable and unpredictable emotions.

"I always liked to think I was an over achiever, so when it came back I was 99% confirmed for both types of ADHD nobody was surprised. It honestly explains everything for me.

Mansell driving in F2 in 2024 - Photo: Race Pictures

"So with that being said having it undiagnosed for 14 years hasn’t helped me in the slightest. My battle with mental health was something I was loosing grip on and I found myself in a pretty dark place at the start of this year. As I man I was silly and tried to bottle it up (spoiler alert, it doesn’t work).

"What you can take from this is 2026 is a year for me that signifies change. I’ve changed the way my brain works, I’ve changed my relationship with mental health and have it well within my grasp. And I have a completely different view on life and why it’s so worth living for.

"And 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. I’m wishing everyone a happy new year and I can’t wait to welcome 2026. Love you all."

Mansell plans to return

In a separate post, the Australian also wrote: "Out for a year, the comeback starts now..."

The driver has already uploaded images of himself driving a GT car at the Dubai Autodrome as well.

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