Damon Hill – F1 champion, career stats and family legacy

Who Is Damon Hill?

Damon Hill is a British former Formula 1 driver who won the World Championship in 1996. He competed in F1 from 1992 to 1999, taking 22 Grand Prix victories and 42 podiums before retiring from racing.

Born in Hampstead, London, on 17 September 1960, Hill is the son of two-time world champion Graham Hill. He is widely noted as the first son of a Formula 1 World Champion to also win the title himself, a rare achievement in the sport’s history.

Beyond driving, Hill has built a second career as a broadcaster and author. He has been part of the Sky Sports F1 team since 2012 and previously served as President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.

Damon Hill Career Statistics and Key Facts

Full Name: Damon Graham Devereux Hill

Born: 17 September 1960, Hampstead, London

F1 Years: 1992–1999

Championships: 1 (1996)

Hill’s career statistics place him among the more accomplished drivers of his era. His 22 race wins and 42 podiums came across four teams: Brabham, Williams, Arrows, and Jordan.

Key Insights

First son of an F1 World Champion to win the title himself
Won the 1996 championship with Williams Renault
Recorded 22 Grand Prix wins and 20 pole positions
Made his F1 debut in 1992 at age 31
Completed 115–116 race starts depending on the source
Received an OBE in the 1997 New Year Honours
Won BBC Sports Personality of the Year twice

Damon Hill Fact Table

Category	Details
Full name	Damon Graham Devereux Hill
Date of birth	17 September 1960
Place of birth	Hampstead, London, England
Nationality	British
F1 teams	Brabham, Williams, Arrows, Jordan
World Championships	1 (1996)
Race wins	22
Podiums	42
Pole positions	20
Fastest laps	19 (per IMDb)
Entries / starts	122 entries / 115 starts (sources vary)
Height	5′ 11¾″ (1.82 m) per IMDb
Father	Graham Hill, two-time world champion

Formula 1’s official Hall of Fame page highlights that Graham Hill had 14 wins and two titles, while Damon added 22 wins and one world championship to the family record. The combined tally makes the Hills one of the most successful father-son pairings in the sport.

Damon Hill’s Family Legacy and Personal Life

Hill’s family background is central to his story. His father, Graham Hill, won the world championship in 1962 and 1968, and his mother Bette Hill is identified in biography sources. The family connection to motorsport gave Damon a unique path into racing, though his own journey took time to develop.

Wife and Children

Damon Hill married Susan George in 1988, though some sources list his wife as Georgie Hill, reflecting a discrepancy in available records. The couple has four children: Tabitha, Josh, Rosie, and Oliver, according to IMDb. His son Josh Hill has also pursued a career in motorsport.

Family Record

Graham Hill won 14 Grands Prix and two world championships. Damon added 22 wins and one title. Together, they remain the only father-son pair to both win the Formula 1 World Championship.

Later Career and Broadcasting

After retiring from racing in 1999, Hill transitioned to broadcasting. He has been part of the Sky Sports F1 team since 2012, providing analysis and commentary during race weekends. He also served as President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, succeeding Jackie Stewart in that role.

Hill is also an author, though specific book titles are not confirmed in the available sources. His work as a writer and commentator has kept him closely connected to the sport he once dominated.

Damon Hill’s Net Worth and Current Role

No reliable, directly cited net worth figure for Damon Hill appears in the available sources. While some estimates circulate online, none of the provided references offer a verified number, so any specific figure should be treated with caution.

Current Activities

Hill continues to work as an F1 pundit and ambassador. His role with Sky Sports F1 keeps him visible to audiences each race season, and he remains an influential voice in the sport.

What to Know

Damon Hill’s number during his championship season was 5, though he used different numbers across his career with various teams. His racing number was not fixed, as numbers changed frequently in his era.

Damon Hill Career Timeline

1960: Born in Hampstead, London, on 17 September.
1992: Makes his F1 debut with Brabham at age 31.
1993: Joins Williams as test driver before being promoted to race driver.
1994: Finishes runner-up in the championship after a season-long battle with Michael Schumacher.
1995: Takes several wins but finishes second in the standings again.
1996: Wins the World Championship with Williams Renault, becoming the first son of a champion to win the title.
1997: Moves to Arrows after being replaced at Williams.
1998: Joins Jordan for a season of mixed results.
1999: Retires from Formula 1 after the season ends.
2012: Begins working as part of the Sky Sports F1 broadcast team.
Present: Continues to work as an F1 pundit and ambassador for the sport.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear

Several aspects of Damon Hill’s life are well documented, while others carry source conflicts or gaps. The table below separates what is established from what remains uncertain.

Established Information	Information That Remains Unclear
Born 17 September 1960 in Hampstead, London	Wife’s name: Susan George vs. Georgie Hill (source conflict)
Won the 1996 F1 World Championship with Williams	Exact number of race starts: 115 vs. 116 depending on the source
22 Grand Prix wins and 42 podiums	Net worth: no reliable, cited figure available
First son of an F1 champion to win the title	Specific book titles he has authored
Father Graham Hill was a two-time world champion	Complete details of his current personal life
Height of 5′ 11¾″ (1.82 m) per IMDb	Exact number of fastest laps (19 per IMDb, not confirmed elsewhere)
Received an OBE in 1997	Some family details remain unverified across sources

Most factual details about Hill’s racing career are consistent across official sources like Formula 1’s Hall of Fame and encyclopedic references. The primary discrepancies involve personal details and figures that are not part of official records.

Why Damon Hill Matters in Formula 1 History

Damon Hill’s career is a narrative of continuing a family legacy. His father, Graham Hill, was a two-time world champion, and Damon’s own title in 1996 made them the first father-son pair to both win the Formula 1 World Championship. That achievement remains unique in the sport’s history.

Hill’s career also spans a significant era of Formula 1. He raced alongside legends like Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, and Alain Prost, and his 1994 and 1995 championship battles with Schumacher are remembered as some of the most intense in the sport. His win in 1996 with Williams Renault capped a journey that began with a modest debut at Brabham in 1992.

Beyond his driving achievements, Hill has shaped the sport’s public image through broadcasting. Since 2012, he has been a regular presence on Sky Sports F1, offering analysis that draws on his firsthand experience. His role as President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club also placed him in a leadership position within British motorsport.

Hill’s story is also one of persistence. He made his F1 debut at 31, an age when many drivers are nearing the end of their careers. His late start and subsequent success make his championship win particularly notable in the context of the sport’s history.

For those interested in other F1 drivers’ careers, Daniel Ricciardo – Career Stats, Retirement Status & Facts offers a similar statistical overview of a contemporary driver, while Mick Schumacher – F1 Career, Net Worth, Family and IndyCar Move explores another driver navigating a famous family legacy in the sport.

Sources and Notable Quotes

Information about Damon Hill comes from several reliable references, including the official Formula 1 Hall of Fame profile, Wikipedia’s comprehensive biographical entry, and Williams F1 team articles. These sources provide consistent data on his career statistics and achievements.

“If you are happy, you will succeed in life.”

— Damon Hill, reflecting on his approach to racing and life

The Official F1 Hall of Fame profile describes Hill’s achievement as making history by becoming the first son of a world champion to win the title himself. Williams F1’s retrospective articles similarly highlight this milestone, emphasizing its significance within the sport’s family dynasties.

Summary: Damon Hill’s Lasting Impact

Damon Hill’s career spans racing achievement, family legacy, and broadcasting influence. From his 1996 World Championship with Williams Renault to his ongoing role with Sky Sports F1, he remains a significant figure in Formula 1. His record as the first son of a champion to win the title himself cements his place in the sport’s history, and his work as a pundit continues to bring that expertise to new audiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What number did Damon Hill use in F1?

Damon Hill used different numbers across his career depending on the team and season. In his championship year of 1996, he used number 5 with Williams.

How many race wins did Damon Hill have in Formula 1?

Damon Hill won 22 Grands Prix during his F1 career from 1992 to 1999. His wins came primarily with Williams, with additional victories at other teams.

Who is Damon Hill’s father?

Damon Hill’s father is Graham Hill, a two-time Formula 1 World Champion who won the title in 1962 and 1968. Graham Hill is also one of only a few drivers to have won the Indianapolis 500.

Is Damon Hill married?

Damon Hill is married, though sources differ on his wife’s name. One source lists Susan George while IMDb lists Georgie Hill. He has four children: Tabitha, Josh, Rosie, and Oliver.

What teams did Damon Hill drive for in F1?

Damon Hill drove for four Formula 1 teams: Brabham, Williams, Arrows, and Jordan. His most successful period was with Williams from 1993 to 1996, where he won his championship.

When did Damon Hill retire from Formula 1?

Damon Hill retired from Formula 1 after the 1999 season. He continued his involvement in the sport as a broadcaster, joining Sky Sports F1 in 2012.

What is Damon Hill doing now?

Damon Hill currently works as an F1 pundit for Sky Sports F1 since 2012. He also serves as an ambassador for the sport and previously held the role of President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club.

How tall is Damon Hill?

IMDb lists Damon Hill’s height as 5′ 11¾″ (1.82 m). No other provided source confirms an alternative figure.

What awards has Damon Hill won?

Damon Hill received an OBE in the 1997 New Year Honours. He also won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, with one source noting he is one of only four people to have won it twice.

Has Damon Hill written a book?

Damon Hill is identified as an author in the available sources, though specific book titles are not confirmed. Anyone seeking exact publication details should check current listings for his works.