Wednesday January 12th, 2000

Damon Hill's former pilot is taking action against his former employer for unfair dismissal, according to a report in today's Irish Times.

Daniel Higgins, a former pilot of Hill's jet, is taking an action against Hill's company, Damon Hill Grand Prix Ltd, alleging his dismissal in January last year was in breach of the Minimum Notice Act. The tribunal was told Hill had lost confidence in Higgins as a pilot because "he sweated profusely on landing". However this appears to relate to an incident on a trip in France, where the jet developed "a major malfunction", depositing all the fuel from an engine. "In 25 years [of flying] it was one of the most horrific experiences I had," Higgins said.

The hearing ended yesterday evening, and a written judgment will be provided.