Hill future undecided

The 1996 champion has faced a torrent of speculation that he could quit before his scheduled departure at the end of the season.

Rather than simply confirming he would be in Malaysia Hill brushed off questions as to weather this would be his last race, saying, 'That is not the topic of the conversation right now.'

The answer from the honourable Englishman can only fuel speculation that given a few days breathing space and negotiating time the various elements can be dropped into place too allow him to depart.

The most likely scenario is that Jarno Trulli, who will drive for Jordan next year, would fill his seat should he depart and Formula 3000 champion Nick Heidfeld would fill Trulli's shoes at the team he has already signed to race for next year.

In the last three days the various elements more or less fell into place with Prost owner Alain Prost not ruling out an early departure for Trulli if he could get Heidfeld early.

And in turn McLaren, who hold Heidfeld's contract, have said they would be prepared to release him to Prost - even if the chain of events would probably strengthen one of their key rivals, Jordan.

Hill is thought to be willing to retire if Jordan agree to pay his salary to the end of the season - meaning he would get the £550,000 due for the last two races even if he does not compete.

Hill has said he would stay on to see Jordan finish third in the constructors but with a 27 point lead over Williams with two races remaining it is unlikely their place is in jeopardy.

Accompanied by his wife Georgie this weekend it certainly would not have helped Hill's peace of mind having witnessed Pedro Diniz's terrifying accident first hand.

The Brazilian's Sauber skidded along for 30 yards upside down having been catapulted into the air off Alexander Wurz's Benetton dodging around the back of Hill's stalled Jordan.

'I just had no power and could not get out of anyone's way,' said Hill.

'The ensuing accident was very nasty and I saw it happening but there was nothing I could do.

'I saw Pedro fly past me and I was very worried as I was on the scene when they were tending to him so I am relived to hear he is okay.'

It will also be fresh in his memory that teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen was lucky to survive his 150mph shunt in the Canadian Grand prix when his brakes failed close to the finish.