Hill back behind the wheel

Damon Hill will make an F1 return this weekend, albeit in a two-seater, as part of a charity weekend. "Thunder in the Park 2", at Donington Park on August 10th & 11th is aimed at raising money for the Down's Syndrome Association and Professor Sid ...

Damon Hill will make an F1 return this weekend, albeit in a two-seater, as part of a charity weekend. "Thunder in the Park 2", at Donington Park on August 10th & 11th is aimed at raising money for the Down's Syndrome Association and Professor Sid Watkins's charity, The Brain and Spine Foundation. In an interview about the event, in which a lucky few will bid for the chance to be Damon's passenger in a two-seater F1 display, he admitted the return to an F1 seat will probably be a one off.

"I will be driving the Minardi two seater, but this is not me coming back to racing, I've got to emphasise that! I've done my time in the sport, enjoyed it thoroughly and I'm happy to be involved because we're hopefully going to raise a lot of money. "

Damon is passionate about the two charities as both are close to his heart for different reasons.

"My first-born son Oliver, who's 13 now, was born with Down's, so it's something particularly close to me. I want to heighten awareness of the condition. Oliver enjoys a great life, he's a huge part of our family and I really want to support the DSA in every way possible. As for Prof Sid Watkins' Brain & Spine Foundation, this is also something which means a lot to me. Sid is naturally associated with Formula One for his work in the sport over the past twenty years or so, but his work goes way beyond that. He has carried out absolutely vital work in researching neuro-surgery, life-saving work which affects everyone."

Damon has been training to get back in shape for F1, and admits although he will enjoy this charity one-off, he doesn't miss racing.

"I'm very nervous! I've already started training, though, beginning with a strict regime of no chocolate biscuits. I thought I'd seen the last of a Formula One car, and there's every chance this is going to be a one-off! I don't really miss racing. I did enjoy my time in Formula One enormously, I feel incredibly privileged to have had the success I did. But it's over now, absolutely, no qualms about that."