Damon Hill will return to Williams as their Ambassador, three decades on from his 1996 championship win.
This move comes after Jenson Button stepped down from the same role earlier this year to join Aston Martin as its ambassador.
Alongside Hill, Williams will also welcome back Jamie Chadwick, a former ambassador, and Jacques Villeneuve, Hill’s former teammate.
During his four seasons with Williams, Damon achieved an impressive tally of 21 Grand Prix victories, 20 poles, and 19 fastest laps, earning widespread admiration from British sports fans.
As one of the most recognisable figures in British motorsport, Damon made significant contributions during a successful era for Williams.
After two years as the team’s test and reserve driver, he secured a race seat in 1993, marking his first Grand Prix victory in Hungary that same year.
30 years on, let’s reflect on his championship-winning season of 1996, which represented both personal triumph and a story of redemption.
The Years Prior
In 1994, he stood as a leading contender until a collision with Michael Schumacher in Adelaide ended his title challenge.
The following season, despite winning four races, he faced a difficult year marked by errors, including spins during races and contentious clashes with Schumacher.
Fans, who compared Hill to his two-time world champion Graham Hill constantly, were left wondering: Did Damon Hill have what it takes?
1996 F1 Season – 30 years on
The FW18, crafted under the technical guidance of Adrian Newey and Patrick Head at Williams, signified a return to dominance.
Powered by Renault’s V10 engine, the car showcased aerodynamic sophistication, mechanical reliability, and adaptability to various circuits.
However, as the 2025 season demonstrated, having the best car doesn’t automatically secure a championship; many drivers with superior machinery have struggled under pressure.
Jacques Villeneuve, arriving at Williams from IndyCar as a celebrated champion, faced the realities of F1 competition, daunting for newcomers.
Despite this, he qualified impressively in pole position during his debut Grand Prix in Melbourne and led the race until an oil leak forced him to retire, allowing Hill to overtake and win.
This opening event highlighted both the FW18’s speed and Hill’s resolve not to be overshadowed by a strong teammate.
Hill started 1996 with solid performances in Australia and Brazil, showing a consistency that had eluded him before. Nevertheless, challenges and high-pressure situations persisted, including mechanical failures and close battles with Villeneuve.
The key difference from 1995 was Hill’s newfound strategic patience; he accepted second place when it helped protect his championship lead and seized opportunities for victory as they arose.
As the points gap fluctuated, the question returned: Would Hill stumble again?
Schumacher’s victory in Spain amid pouring rain reminded everyone that exceptional talent outside Williams remained a threat.
Yet, this did not shake Hill’s resolve. Throughout the season, he secured eight wins, while Villeneuve claimed four, remaining a formidable adversary deep into the year.
The championship standings ebbed and flowed, but Hill held his lead. Williams’ decision not to retain Hill for 1997, reached before the season concluded after failed negotiations, marked a significant turning point.
By the time of the Suzuka race, Hill led the championship, while Villeneuve’s early retirement cast doubt on his title hopes. Hill delivered a flawless drive, culminating in victory secured through unwavering determination and strategic execution, free from dramatic clashes or risky strategies.
This triumph crowned Hill as World Champion, achieving a unique milestone alongside his father, Graham Hill, as the only father and son duo in Formula 1 history to win the World Drivers’ Championship.
The 1996 season remains a hot topic of discussion. Although the FW18 dominated in speed and Williams enjoyed a distinct advantage, championships rely on a driver’s ability to consistently convert potential into results across seventeen races, managing pressure, narrative challenges, and internal rivalries that threaten to splinter their campaign.
Featured Image Credit: Derek Morrison from Kuwait, Kuwait, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
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