A Bicester-based gin distillery has welcomed a very special guest, the Former Formula 1 Champion, Nigel Mansell. 

The British motor racing legend, famed for his fast and fiercely competitive racing style, popped into the Sky Wave Distilling Company to use the bar for a meeting.

Sky Wave co-founder Rachel Hicks said: “We had a call out of the blue, asking if we had a quiet space that Nigel could use for a couple of meetings while he was on site.

"Our cocktail bar and visitor space is perfect for this, so of course we said yes.

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"I grew up in Oxfordshire surrounded by Formula 1 souvenirs as my father is a huge Formula 1 fan, so we were thrilled to host a motor racing legend at the distillery.” 

This is Oxfordshire: Nigel Mansell CBE and Rachel Hicks, co-founder Sky Wave outside the Sky Wave cocktail bar at Bicester HeritageNigel Mansell CBE and Rachel Hicks, co-founder Sky Wave outside the Sky Wave cocktail bar at Bicester Heritage (Image: Image: Sky Wave)

Mr Mansell, who won the world title in 1992 driving for Williams, based in Grove, asked to see around the distillery and was given a personal tour by Sky Wave co-founder and Master Distiller, Andrew Parsons.

Mr Parsons said: “He arrived for a meeting next door in the bar but was immediately drawn when he saw our copper still and wanted to look around.

"He took a real interest in the distilling process and so we made sure he took a bottle of Sky Wave gin home to enjoy.” 

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Ms Hicks said: “He was a real gentleman.

“Very warm, chatty and genuinely interested in our business.

"It was an honour to host him and he will always be welcome to come back when the cocktail bar is open to enjoy one on the house.”

Mr Mansell was visiting Bicester Heritage to to collect a Lifetime Achievement Award at Motorsport UK after being unable to attend the original awards evening in January.