FIA asks Mansell to be F1 steward in 2010

Nigel Mansell with his two sons

(GMM) Nigel Mansell is considering the FIA's invitation to be a steward at one or two grands prix in 2010.

FIA president Jean Todt's initiative, where experienced drivers are installed as a fourth steward at each world championship round this year, is designed to speed up and give credibility to the adjudicating decisions.

Already lined up to take part are Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Alex Wurz, while Alain Prost is fulfilling the role this weekend in Bahrain.

1996 world champion Damon Hill will be the fourth steward at Monaco and also another race in 2010.

"It's important drivers give their perspective on the sport," he said in Bahrain.

55-year-old Prost, the most successful driver in F1's history behind Michael Schumacher, has indicated that he might reprise his Bahrain role later this season.

"It's an experiment; we will see how it goes," said the Frenchman.

He admits that the contribution of well-known and highly regarded drivers will give the stewards' decisions more credibility.

"Exactly," Prost is quoted as saying by the BBC. "That is what Jean wanted to do, and that is why I made the effort to do it."