Hill win an alien concept to bookies

Ladbrokes said the alien discovery shared Hill's winning odds of 50/1.

While a British GP win for Hill would please his followers, turf accountants would be forced into massive payouts should the Jordan star triumph in his last race.

A spokesman for Ladbrokes believes a win for the troubled 1996 World Champion could cost the company a six-figure sum.

'It's true to say that if Damon Hill wins it will be an expensive result for us,' said a company spokesman.

'We took the view that he hasn't been performing too well this season.

'However, with it being his final ever race - and in front of his home fans - we are a little concerned that he may pull something out of the bag.'

Meanwhile, Silverstone favourites are championship rivals Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen, each quoted at 11/8.

McLaren driver David Coulthard, who has never won his home grand prix, can be backed at 5/1, with fellow British driver Eddie Irvine at 12/1.

French GP winner and Hill's team-mate Heinz-Harald Frentzen is 20/1.

Meanwhile, 1995 Silverstone winner Johnny Herbert has odds of 80/1.

The more optimistic punters may wish to back Marc Gene and Luca Badoer, each at 2000/1, which Ladbrokes say carry the same odds as intelligent alien lifeform AND the Loch Ness Monster being discovered before the millennium.