Hill's Grand Prix career

The 38-year-old, son of double world champion Graham Hill, made his Formula One debut in a Brabham at the 1992 British Grand Prix.

In a race remembered for Nigel Mansell's emotional win, Hill finished the race to finish 16th in the under-powered car.

In 1993, he replaced the Indy-bound Mansell, partnering veteran racer and former World Champion Alain Prost.

Wins in Hungary, Belgium and Italy helped Hill to third place in the world championship.

In 1994, Prost was replaced by three times world champion Ayrton Senna.

Following the Brazilian's tragic death, Hill was thrust into the limelight as Williams' number one driver as Formula One struggled to come to terms with the loss of Senna and Roland Ratzenberger.

Five victories, including a win at the British GP - a feat his late father never achieved - pushed Hill to within a whisker of the world championship, until a collision with Michael Schumacher in Australia handed the title to the German.

The following year, Hill finished a distant second behind Michael Schumacher in the drivers' table, winning four times.

In 1996, the Englishman joined motor racing's hall of fame when he beat Jacques Villeneuve to take his only world crown.

The ex-motorcycle courier took eight wins en-route to his momentous achievement, which he clinched at the season's final race in Japan.

For 1997, Hill switched to the Arrows team, where the Yamaha-powered unit struggled to keep pace with the Renault-engined Benettons and Williams.

The highlight of a disappointing season, which left Hill with seven points, was a second place in Hungary.

Last year, he moved to the Jordan team. But, a poor start to the season was soon forgotten when Hill and team-mate Ralf Schumacher came home first and second in Belgium to record the team's first ever win.

This year, Hill has struggled to get to grips with the Jordan, with only a fourth place at San Marino to show for his efforts.

His announcement to quit comes days after he crashed out of the Canadian Grand Prix.