Get to know Damon Hill

Our 1996 World Champion is back with the team as Ambassador for 2026 – here’s his story

Published

23 FEB 2026

Est. reading time

4 min

Damon Hill has returned to Atlassian Williams F1 Team in a new role as our Ambassador for 2026.

But long before stepping into this position, Damon had already written his name into the history of this team, and of Formula 1 itself.

In 1996, he became World Champion with Williams, etching his name into the sport’s history books and becoming the first son of a Formula 1 World Champion to win the title himself. In doing so, he matched the achievements of his father, the legendary Graham Hill, who claimed his championships in the 1960s.

Unlike many future F1 drivers, Damon’s first love in motorsport came on two wheels rather than four. The British racer began his career competing in motorcycle events before switching to single-seaters in 1983.

His early years in car racing were far from straightforward. Finance made progress challenging, but three seasons in British Formula 3 allowed Damon to establish himself and continue building towards his Formula 1 dream.

That opportunity arrived in 1991 when, while racing in Formula 3000, Damon was signed by Williams as a test driver. In this role, he'd support Nigel Mansell and Ricardo Patrese, gaining vital experience behind the scenes with a front-running team.

His Grand Prix debut finally came at the 1992 Spanish Grand Prix with Brabham at the age of 32. It was a late start by modern standards, and he stepped into a side that were struggling to qualify for races. But at his home race at Silverstone, he made the grid for the first time – a moment truly marked the beginning of his F1 journey.

Damon crosses the line first in Hungary to take his maiden F1 Grand Prix victory

Everything would change in 1993 when he was promoted to a race seat at Williams alongside triple World Champion Alain Prost.

Damon suddenly found himself fighting at the front, and secured his maiden podium in just his fourth F1 start, finishing second in Brazil. Ten podiums followed that season, including a commanding first victory at the Hungaroring, where he lapped all but two of his rivals.

With Prost retiring after winning the 1993 title, Damon was to partner Ayrton Senna at Williams in '94.

But following the legendary Brazilian's tragic passing just three rounds into the season, the Briton had to step up as a team leader, guiding us to a Constructors’ title in the most unthinkable of campaigns.

He'd go head-to-head that year with Michael Schumacher, with the battle for the championship going down to the final race. In one of the sport's most infamous moments, contact between Schumacher and Hill ended Damon’s title dreams, but his time would come again.

He finished runner-up for a second successive season in 1995 as Schumacher claimed his second title, but Damon’s persistence never wavered.

The title-winning moment in Suzuka, 1996

Then came 1996. Driving the dominant FW18, Damon delivered a career-defining campaign. Seven victories in the opening 11 races put him in control of the championship heading into the final round at Suzuka, holding a nine-point advantage over rookie teammate Jacques Villeneuve.

Villeneuve, now his Ambassador teammate at Williams, had started the 1996 Japanese GP from pole, but Damon seized the lead at Turn 1. When Jacques later retired, the title was effectively sealed, but Damon didn’t settle for anything less than victory, taking the chequered flag to become World Champion.

In the commentary box, Murray Walker’s voice cracked with emotion as Graham Hill’s son had written his own story, joining the sport’s greatest names – a moment that remains one of Formula 1’s most iconic.

“And I’ve got to stop, because I’ve got a lump in my throat.” – Murray Walker, Suzuka 1996

Celebrations begin following the 1996 Japanese Grand Prix

Over his four seasons racing with Williams, he claimed 21 of his 22 career Grand Prix victories, 20 Pole Positions and 19 fastest laps and won the hearts of British sports fans – twice being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

A season with Arrows and two with Jordan followed before Damon stepped away from racing. Since then, he has remained close to the sport as a respected pundit and commentator.

Now, as our Ambassador for 2026, his new chapter with the team begins.

Earn Exclusive Rewards

Get access to exclusive events, digital experiences, unlock collectables and get closer to the team and drivers!

Latest

Carlos meets Thea at Grove – the creator of Sparkles!

Thea (creator of Sparkles the Unicorn) was treated to an exclusive tour of Grove, and Carlos dropped by to surprise his six-year-old super fan

ARTICLE