Hill in talks to join GP Masters

Autosport.com has learnt that discussions have taken place with the 1996 world champion as to making a comeback in the series for retired Formula One drivers.

If an agreement can be reached, it would mean that three world champions would be on the grid at the race on August 13, along with Emerson Fittipaldi and Nigel Mansell.

It marks a change of heart for 46-year-old Hill, who, in the series' planning stages, had expressed his desire not to take part in the series over concerns about safety.

"I took a decision a while ago that I've taken enough risks with my life and I don't want to take anymore," Hill told Motorsport News in April 2005. "It's not like the Seniors Tour in golf. 

"This is motor racing and there are risks involved. I don't think 50-year-old guys are really cut out to take risks with their lives."

However, since those comments, GP Masters has launched with great success, even convincing 59-year-old Fittipaldi to race.

Hill has also taken a more active role in motorsport since, and has taken up the presidency of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns the Northamptonshire track.

He drove DTM taxi-rides at the touring car series' recent round at Brands Hatch and only last week got behind the wheel of Renault's world championship-winning R25 in a demonstration down Whitehall in London.

Hill's signature would be a massive boost to the series for the British race, meaning that three British drivers would be racing, along with Mansell and Derek Warwick.

GP Masters officials would not confirm or deny whether Hill would be on the grid in August, but did reveal there would be at least one more driver.

Bob Berridge, the series co-ordinator, told autosport.com: "We are talking to a number of drivers and I am not in a position to say anything yet.

"We will make a choice on the next driver within the next ten days, but there will be a 16th car on the grid at Silverstone."

Alain Prost has been linked with the series from its conception, but he is unlikely to be making his debut at Silverstone.