Damon is World Champion -Suzuka 1996 -copyright unknown

Happy Birthday to Damon Hill, 1996 F1 World Champion, who's 50 today! Damon, son of double World Champion Graham, was born in Hampstead, London, England on 17th September 1960. Initially racing on two wheels without much success, his mum Bette persuaded him that four were safer, and his fortune changed. His break into F1 came with Williams in 1991, but only as a test driver, so when the opportunity of a race seat emerged at the struggling Brabham team, he grabbed it. Luckily for Damon, with Nigel Mansell leaving for the US, he was able to step back into the brilliant Williams-Renault the following year, and compete at the sharp end, taking three wins in a row. After a few seasons fighting Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, Damon was finally crowned World Champion due to racking up an impressive tally of victories. The photo above depicts a relieved Damon, after winning the title decider at Suzuka.

A drop in favour with Williams (despite winning the world championship!) saw him take a drive at Arrows, before the chance to win again came at Eddie Jordan's outfit in 1998. With a bit of luck and a half decent performance, Damon steered the bright yellow Jordan through the rainy murk, to score the team's first win. That would be the high point at Jordan, as Damon's thoughts dwelled on retirement which came to pass at the end of 1999.

A break from motor sport gave Damon the chance to improve his music skills, and on one occasion contribute a sizzling guitar solo to a track on Def Leppard's Euphoria album, and was credited as "Demon" Hill no less! Very rock 'n' roll! However the thrill of racing has lured Damon back to the sport, and after becoming president of the British Racing Drivers' Club in 2006, he has helped keep Formula 1 at Silverstone for the unforeseeable future. And as father Graham inspired Damon, Damon is now inspiring his son Josh to follow on in the family tradition with a run in the British Formula Ford series, complete with trademark dark blue helmet and number zero!

Happy Birthday Damon!