Christian Mansell Announces 2026 Return After Mental Health Hiatus

Australian driver Christian Mansell has announced his intention to return to racing in 2026 after stepping away from the 2025 Formula 2 season to focus on his mental health. In a candid social media post, Mansell revealed he was diagnosed with ADHD, a condition he says had a profound, unacknowledged impact on his life. He now feels in control of his health and is ready to resume his career, stating "the comeback starts now."

Why it matters:

Mansell's openness highlights the immense psychological pressure on young drivers climbing the motorsport ladder. His story sheds light on the critical importance of mental health support and destigmatizes neurodivergence in a high-performance environment. As a proven talent—finishing 5th in the 2024 F3 championship—his well-being and potential return are significant for the future driver pipeline in Formula 1.

The details:

• The Diagnosis: Mansell revealed he was diagnosed with both types of ADHD in 2025, a discovery he says "explains everything" about lifelong feelings of being different, emotional volatility, and difficulty focusing.
• The Struggle: He described the past year as one that "completely broke me," leading him to a "dark place" as he tried to "bottle up" his struggles. He admitted that going 14 years without a diagnosis severely impacted his mental health.
• The Comeback Trail: Following his update, Mansell posted "Out for a year, the comeback starts now..." alongside images of him driving a GT car at the Dubai Autodrome, signaling his active return to competition.
• Career Context: The 20-year-old was originally slated to compete for Rodin Motorsport in the 2025 F2 season after impressing with three point-scoring appearances in the category at the end of 2024.

What's next:

While his specific 2026 plans are yet to be announced, Mansell is clearly gearing up for a return to single-seater racing. His journey of self-awareness and management of his ADHD could make him a more resilient and focused athlete upon his return. The junior formula market will be watching closely to see where a driver of his caliber lands after taking a year away to prioritize his health.