<>@6 :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. *4@3 DAMON HILL - YOU'RE SACKED! *3]5@4 by Jacka / A51 *1]1@6 .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: @1 The motor racing world was shocked in late August of this year when Frank Williams announced that he wasn't giving Damon Hill a new contract for 1997. With Renault pulling out of Grand Prix racing at the end of the '97, season experts would have thought that Hill was definitely going to be re-signed in order to put another dominating year in for Williams before a major engine advantage was terminated. But to the despair of Hill, just 4 races from the end of the season he was told his services were no longer required. Instead German ace Hienz-Harrold Frentzin is to replace Hill at the end of the season with Villeneuve being retained. The other drives for Hill were likely to come from MacLaren, Jordon or Benneton. But with Gerhard Berger already retained, and Jean Alesi wanting £12 million to break his water tight contract that ruled Benneton out of the picture. Virtually the same happened with MacLaren when it was announced the Fin, Mika Hakkinen, had been confirmed for next season after his superb form returned after his major crash at Adelaide in the last race of the 1995 season, and David Coulthard has still a year to run on his contract. This leaves Hill with Jordon and the newly formed Jackie Stuart team. Jordon remain favourites for Hills signature as they have probably the next best engine in Formula 1, while the new Jackie Stuart team will only be using the Ford V10 engine for the next 5 years, with this being the most out powered engine in Formula 1 at the moment. Other driver movements include Ralf Schumacher (Micheal's brother) joining Jordon, leaving Englishman Martin Brundle's future uncertain, while his team mate Barrichello the Brazilian is rumoured to be leaving for IndyCar racing. Jonny Herbert has also been confirmed as a Sauber driver for next year with the other seat being unoccupied at the time of typing. Whatever the reason for Frank Williams dropping Damon Hill, it's not the first time that he has dropped either a world champion or a potential world champion. Not that long ago in 1992 Nigel Mansell was the world champion and had agreed a new contract with Williams, only for Senna to offer his services for free instead. So Mansell went to IndyCar the following year and won that. Since that he has tried to return to Formula 1 but with no success. Sadly, we have more than likely seen the last days of Mansell in the victory mode. Even more sadly that year Senna lost his life at San Marino during the race and Mansell and Coulthard ran the rest of the races for the season, with Mansell taking his last victory in Formula 1 in Australia to make a record number of wins (31) for a British driver. So, in finishing, I personally hope the last race of the season in Japan is an incident-filled race to see us off and hope next year the cars are more closely matched at the top. I have also learned that Murray Walker, the BBC commentator, has signed a 2 year deal with Channel 3 to commentate for them, ending a long run with BBC television. @6 ---+--- @1 Since writing this text Hill has signed for Arrows, the English based team who have only scored 1 point all season. Hill has also took a 1.5 million wage drop and the young Brazilian Pedro Diniz will be his team mate for next season with Hill having outright number one status. Closer to the season I will do a preview of the season to come including who's driving for who and what their chances are for the 1997 season. ]5But always remember:]1 *3@5 Hill is a good driver. Schumacher is a brilliant driver. Senna was the genius. ...but Mansell was the master of F1!