By Joe Murphy
Damon Hill had an illustrious career. In 115 race starts, he amassed the total of 22 wins from 42 podiums. However, he is of course most known for being the 1996 Formula One World Champion. The son of Graham Hill, and, along with Nico Rosberg, he is the only other sons of a Formula One World Champions to also win the title. After originally starting on motorbikes in the early 1980’s, he turned to cars in an attempt to garner more success. A move, which turned out to be revolutionary.
In 1992, Hill became a test driver for at the time Constructors Champions; Williams. He was moved up to the official race team the following year after Riccardo Patrese’s departure and took the first of his victories at the 1993 Hungarian Grand Prix. During that decade, Hill was Michael Schumacher’s main rival for the Drivers’ Championship. A rivalry which saw the two direcrly clash several times both on and off the track. Most notably, the infamous contact at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix gave Schumacher his first title by a single point, denying the British driver in the cruelest way, in the process.
However, just two years later, Hill became champion. In 1996, he claimed eight wins for the team, but remarkably was dropped by Williams for the following season.
He never reached the same highs in his career again. During the late nineties, he raced for the comparatively less competitive Arrows and Jordan teams. Despite giving the latter team their first win in the sport, the talent was not matched with the necessary machinery to challenge across a season. Instead Mike Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher continued to race out front.
The English-born driver decided to retire from racing after being dropped by Jordan following the culmination of the 1999 season. Seven years later, he became president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, taking over from Sir Jackie Stewart, although he relinquished this role himself in 2011.
Today, he works with Silverstone to guarantee a British Grand Prix every year, and also has a contract with Sky Sports, offering expert insight and analysis.
There is no doubt that Damon Hill reached highs that very few British drivers have been able to reach. At a time where F1 was arguably more competitive that is has been since, to win the World Title stands out even more. He may be often overlooked in favour of men that won multiple titles either side of his championship win, but don’t forget just how good Damon Hill was and how important he still remains, to the sport.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 
I remember Damon Hill almost won at hungaroring with the underpowered Footwork Yamaha! He was passed by Jack Villeneuve on the last lap if my memory serves me right. If Damon have won it would have been a legendary win!
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