Thursday October 28th, 1999

by Michele Lupini

One of Formula One racing's most illustrious modern careers comes to a close this weekend, as the Damon Hill era ends – as a driver at least. The 1996 World Champion has the distinction of being the first-ever son of an ex-world Formula One Driver's Champion to follow in his father's footsteps, in so doing assembling one of F1's most respectable records as a driver.

Reflecting on his impressive career, which will see Damon start his 115th and last Grand Prix in Japan, Hill has no qualms about his retirement. "I am making absolutely the right decision – I'm satisfied with what I have achieved in my career. In fact, I have achieved a lot more than I expected to, my ambition was just to get into Formula One. I have no strong emotions about this being my last race because I have been thinking about the race and doing as well as I can," Damon admitted today.

The British hero has won 22 Grands Prix, set 19 fastest laps and started from pole position 20 times to leave an indelible mark on the sport, matched by very few drivers in F1's entire history - let alone the modern era.

Starting his F1 career relatively late in life, in the last days of the famous Brabham marquee, Damon will be fondly remembered as a driver, albeit often as a hugely underrated driver. But if his sentiments of late are anything to go by, Damon will remain in F1, once again following in his illustrious father's footsteps in establishing a Grand Prix team of his own.

Graham Hill won the world driver's championship twice, before going on to be a constructor in the Embassy Hill team, a phase of his life that was cruelly curtailed when Graham was tragically killed in a light aircraft accident in 1975, along with his brilliant young driver, Tony Brise

"It's a tantalising dream," Damon said. "You want to win and if you cannot win as a driver, winning as a team owner is the next logical option." He continued, "there's certainly no definite plan to do that right now - but I wouldn't write anything off... For now, I want to stand back and get a perspective of life, the universe, Formula One and Damon Hill."

Damon has been inspired by the successes of former world champion peers, Jackie Stewart and Alain Prost in F1 in recent years. "Jackie has done a brilliant job in making a winning team but even he'd admit he has been a little lucky," Damon said.

He turns his back on life as a driver with no regrets.

Looking back at his twilight year as a driver, Damon quipped: "After the season I have had you'd think I'd be looking forward to retirement, but I'm hoping this race isn't going to be as painful as the others. "It's been barren - but it would be nice to leave on a high."

Damon looked back at the highlights of a great career. "1996 was the most exciting time of my life - winning the world championship and the British Grand Prix. "But one more lap of testing at Barcelona I could do without," the 39-year-old smiled. "No-one forced me to retire - I have done what I wanted to do, the only pressure comes from my honestly facing my own my situation."

Damon retires at one of his favourite circuits. Suzuka saw him enjoy two of his greatest F1 moments - winning the title in `96 title and beating arch rival and accepted rainmaster, Michael Schumacher in a wet 1994 Japanese GP to force the title chase into the last round in Adelaide.

"I drove out of my skin in the wet that day and I regard that as the race where I got the most out of myself. That race was very special - I felt I wasn't even in the car, a strange experience I have not had before or since."

So Suzuka will see a fitting end to Damon Hill's significant career. For his avid and loyal fans, when Damon emerges from the Jordan on Sunday afternoon, it will be a poignant moment as one of F1's greatest drivers hangs up his helmet. But all is not lost, as it appears increasingly popular that the Hill name could rejoin some illustrious titles as a Formula One constructor once again.