F1-Blog

After a stunning 'test' of the GPMasters car at Silverstone, it seems Hill will not be racing. He has said

“No I’m not going to be racing no, I took a decision not to race a long time ago.

But it was definitely worth coming back and trying it out.

So I’ve got to say a big thank you to the GP Masters for giving me the chance to sample it and give me something to think about, anyway.

This series has created a space for old timers like myself to do what they love, so there's a possibility there.

So I wouldn’t rule it out, but I can’t honestly say that right now I need to race.

That is the bit that is missing.

I love driving, I love pushing the limit and all the rest of it but racing for me…I don’t have an ambition to do it and I think that’s an important part of the equation.

You never know,”

So it seems he will not be racing this weekend, but may take up the series at a later date. I say come back Damon, it would be good to see you race again. 

It seems it is looking more and more likely. Damon will be at Siltstone on Thursday to test one of the 600bhp single seater GPM cars.

If testing goes well then we could see him competing in the car at the Silverstone weekend.

Hill will be running the car during the three hour free practice session, and if he feels comfortable in the car, it's setup, and his competitiveness then it looks good for him to race.

Hill vs Mansell will be a good site, I personally cannot wait. 

News in the press has Damon Hill making a competitive return to racing in the GP Masters series.

He is planning to join the ranks of Mansell, Fitipaldi and rumours of Prost are abound as well.

The word on the street is that he will compete in the Silverstone race planned for the August 13th.

Hill had always said after quiting F1 in 1999 after a bad season with the Jordan team that he would never race competitvly again, however he is now quoted with saying “You should never say never,”. What has brought on this need to return? Recently Hill had a run in a Mercedes DTM car at Brands Hatch and said “Driving that car made me think twice about not racing again." Also he was never really in the sport competing directly with Nigel Mansell (the current star of GPM), and says he regretted never having the chance to race him, this series woul obviously allow that to happen, 

"I never did get the chance to race against him properly in Formula 1, because the timing just wasn’t right,” he said.

“In fact, I spent most of my early career being a test monkey for Nigel so I would love to get out there and give him a run for his money.”

So even if our boy Jenson is struggling in F1, it's nice to know our 'old boys' are still kicking the proverbial.

With so many great names already signed up for the series, and more coming (if Prost does arrive), the GP Masters may become more interesting to watch than the current F1 series! 

The first GP Masters took place Saturday from Qatar.

The race was won by 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell in a close fight with Christian Danner and the only just 45 years old Eric Van de Poele.

The 'old boys' showed great talent and resilience as the heat at Qatar was up to 77 degrees Celsius in the cockpit, and track temperatures of 58 degrees Celsius.

This is the second GP Masters grand prix with the inaugural South African GP last year which Nigel Mansell also won. The race had a number of incidents which brought out the safety car and bunched the grid back up again. Driver comments after the click through.

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