Hill keeps his counsel

The 1996 champion arrived at Silverstone on Thursday and said he would not be making any announcements until after Sunday's British Grand Prix.

He said the media could be left to draw their own conclusions - and the consensus in the paddock is that he is under pressure from his team to keep to his decision to retire but has since changed his mind and wants to continue.

In an official press conference after first practice in which he ended up seventh and, for once, ahead of teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who is 14th, he said, 'I've had a lovely day - it's been great.

'I'm enjoying the car as much as you can under the current regulations we all complain about. It's not too bad.'

Asked about his future he said, 'You are not going to have an announcement from me. I have said that enough times this weekend. There is no point in asking me anything.

'I am just here to get on with the race weekend and will not be making any announcements to do with driving or not driving.

'The fans seem very pleased to be here and I've had a good reaction from the fans I've see so far.'

Sentences were punctuated by heavy sighs. Even when asked if he was 'crying wolf' Hill glared as he replied, 'I am not going to answer that question.'