No time out for Damon
Damon Hill's hopes of an early retirement have been dashed - due to Nick Heidfeld's reluctance to race this year
The Jordan star was hoping to quit after next weekend's European Grand Prix, with Jarno Trulli - who has been signed up by the Silverstone-based team next year - lined up to replace him.
As part of a swap deal, Trulli's departure would pave the way for F3000 champion Nick Heidfeld.
Heidfeld, who drove for McLaren's junior team West this season, is due to make his GP debut with the French team in 2000.
However, it is understood the McLaren tester is concerned about his lack of testing experience and that the Prost does not have power steering.
McLaren supremo Ron Dennis is also worried that throwing Heidfeld into Prost against Olivier Panis could damage the German's confidence.
Hill had hoped to quit as soon as possible, but pledged to remain with Jordan until it secured enough points for third place in the constructors' championship.
The team has a comfortable 27 point lead over Williams with only a maximum of 48 available.
Share Or Save This Story
How F1 teams prepare for the British GP at Silverstone
Indecent proposal? How Sainz's big idea to change F1 qualifying might work
Why Ferrari fears "deficit could be twice as big" to Mercedes at Silverstone and Spa
How "charging station" Silverstone will really look different in F1 2026
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments