D-day looming for Damon

The ex-champion struggled through one of the biggest lows of his career in Magny-Cours as he failed to qualify after two car fires and was only allowed onto the grid at the discretion of the stewards.

His plight was only heightened by the incredible victory of his teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen. His race was just as disastrous as he was hit by an Arrows in the pit and then drove into retirement - from race and perhaps the sport - when his car suffered an electrical problem.

All the indications from the team and the man himself are that he will not take the start of the British Grand Prix.

'I'd rather not go and perform badly,' he said. I'd rather not have that. If you believe in reading the signals, they have basically been that I've got to stop. It's just been bad news.

'I've got to decide what's worse, going to Silverstone and have a crap race or believe that something different can happen.'

Asked if he was tearing himself apart he replied, 'No I'm not tearing myself apart. I've been in motor racing long enough to be able to cope with these sort of things.'

'All I have to say is that I'm delighted Jordan won a race. I would have gone home before the end but I could see what was going on so I stopped and watched it.

'Heinz drove a great race. It didn't go well for me but I've had my days and I can handle it. I'd like to go to Silverstone and do well, but you have to ask if I can. At the moment I don't know if I can do that.

'I've said it very clearly that there is a possibility that this is my final one. I don't want it to be my last race.'

Asked if he wanted to do one last race for the fans he didn't want to dip into trite cliches at such an important moment.

'I wouldn't do it for the fans. I'd do it for myself and my family before I start thinking about fans. And I appreciate fans supporting me all the way and I appreciate there will be people at Silverstone wanting to see me race. But I don't think those fans will want to see me tugging around at the back.

'That would hurt me too much, I couldn't do it. I don't know when I'll decide.'