Currently: President, British Racing Drivers’ Club
Career highlights: 1996 FIA F1 World Champion
Damon Hill’s F1 world crown in 1996 was the result of more than a decade of unwavering ambition and perseverance behind the wheel. Damon might be the son of the late double F1 world champion Graham Hill but this didn’t mean automatic success by any means. Working as a motorcycle courier in London, he initially took up racing on two wheels at – by today’s standards – the late age of 23.
Two years later he moved to cars, contesting the UK’s Formula Ford arena, this followed by three years in British F3. He enjoyed wins and podium results in both categories and he also went on to be a front-runner in the FIA European F3000 Championship. His F1 break came in 1992 with the by – now struggling Brabham team, but away from the public spotlight Damon had also earned himself a test and development driver role with Williams and in 1993 he was offered a full-time drive. He finished that season third overall with four race wins and in 1994 and 1995 was runner-up to arch rival Michael Schumacher.
In 1996 he was not to be denied and came away with the title. Spells with Arrows and Jordan – for whom he achieved a maiden GP victory – followed before he retired from racing in 1999. Damon, though, remains close to the sport both as President of the British Racing Drivers Club and overseeing his son Joshua’s rookie season in the Ginetta Junior series for young racers aged between 14-16 years old.