F1 Through the eyes of Damon Hill: Inside the World of Formula 1 [Hardcover]

Drivers come and drivers go, but few have caught the imagination of Formula One fans like Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion.

Hill's decision to walk away from the pit lane and hang up his gloves, after a lacklustre start to the 1999 season, left the sporting public awaiting the arrival of a new talent to fill his seat and take to their hearts.

But Damon retired from the track safe in the knowledge that he has emerged from the shadows of his late father, double world champion Graham Hill, to command his own place in history alongside the greats on the grid.

F1 Through the Eyes of Damon Hill is a frank account written during his first season with the Jordan team--a year which started sluggish but ended in ultimate triumph at Spa-Francorchamps.

Looking back, the 1998 campaign was a roller-coaster one which in many ways mirrored Hill's own career behind the wheel.

The pages are glossy and packed with superb colour photographs by Keith Sutton, which are worth the cover price on their own. And Hill's observations and explanations give the reader a probing insight of what goes on inside that distinctive blade racing helmet.

There really is something for everyone--Hill openly writes about the highs and lows, his rivalry on the track, the cloak-and-dagger way teams operate and, of course, his family.

Alas, the chance to see Hill competing on the F1 stage is history, but this winning book keeps the memories ticking over and will merit pole position on any sports reader's bookshelf.

MY CHAMPIONSHIP YEAR * "As ever, Hill tells his story with disarming honesty...brilliantly illustrated"

* "Told with rare generosity of spirit...will be a lasting record of a triumphant year"

This is the behind-the-scenes story of Damon Hill's Formula One World Championship challenge. From the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne through to the grand finale in Japan where the nine month seaon ends, Hill charts the emotions and excitement of the 16-race Grand Prix circus. He describes the strains and pressures behind the garage doors, the massive effort required to revive his title challenge with his new Jordan team, and the fears and thrills which punctuated his progress. From the clamour and glamour of the pit lane to the privacy of the motor home, Hill recounts his battles with Schumacher, Couthard, Villeneuve and others for the 1998 Formula One World Championship.

Damon Hill has twice been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, most recently in his championship-winning year with Williams in 1996.