MOTOR RACING: DAMON HILL: The Fact File

1960: Born 17 September, Hampstead, London.

1982-85: Worked as motorcycle despatch rider to fund his racing career.

1984: Crowned "Champion of Brands" riding a Yamaha 350cc motorcycle. Also first car win in FF1600 at Brands Hatch.

1985: Third in Esso FF1600 Championship and fifth in Townsend Thoresen FF1600 Championship with six wins. Third in competitive Formula Ford Festival.

1986: Finished ninth in Formula Three Championship.

1987: Fifth in Formula Three Championship, scoring two wins.

1988: Third in Formula Three Championship with two wins. Raced twice in International Formula 3000 Championship.

1989: Racing restricted by lack of finance.

1990: Competed in International Formula 3000 Championship, best result being second place at Brands Hatch.

1991: Best result a third in International Formula 3000 Championship. Fourth place at Le Mans. Took over from Mark Blundell as official test driver for Williams' grand prix team.

1992: Retained as test driver. Made grand prix debut for Brabham at British Grand Prix, finishing 16th.

1993: Joined Alain Prost in Williams Grand Prix team. Won for first time in Hungary then added victories in Belgium and Italy. Finished third overall in championship in first full season.

1994: Partnered Ayrton Senna at Williams and took over as unofficial No 1 after Senna died in San Marino Grand Prix. Beaten to the world championship by Michael Schumacher by just one point.

1995: Again finished second to Schumacher in championship. Retained by Williams, with Jacques Villeneuve replacing David Coulthard as his 1996 partner.

1996: Williams terminate negotiations concerning a contract for 1997, leaving Hill, then world championship leader by 13 points, to find another team for next season. In an unexpected move, Hill signs for the little- known TWR Arrows team after being linked with Jordan and Stewart grand prix teams. He clinched the world title by winning the final grand prix of the season in Japan.

1996 record: Australia: 1st; Brazil: 1st; Argentina: 1st; European: 4th; San Marino: 1st; Monaco: Did Not Finish; Spain: DNF; Canada: 1st; France: 1st; Britain: DNF; Germany: 1st; Hungary: 2nd; Belgium: 5th, Italy: DNF, Portugal: 2nd, Japan: 1st. Total Points: 97; Championship position: 1st.

Grand Prix facts:

Starts: 67. Wins: 21. Pole positions: 20. Total Points: 326.