Race ace (clockwise from left): He looks a boy-band hopeful, but Yellow Pages cash secured his early career; driving in Formula 3000 from 2000-1, he showed enough speed to get an F1 test drive; Mercedes sportscars in 1998-9 were an important ‘big team’ step; the Formula Ford Festivals at the UK’s Brands Hatch circuit in 1995 and ’96 were landmark events for Mark – third on his debut, he won a year later against a top-level field; racing Australian Formula Ford (here at the Australian Grand Prix support event) took Mark across his homeland in pursuit of success Behind every man: Mark with Ann Neal, his partner and manager. Her drive and motorsport contacts were vital in guiding Mark towards the European motor-racing scene and eventually to the highest levels of Formula One
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