A drive too far for Hill

Damon Hill has been warned he will be "murdered" by fellow drivers when he takes his final bow at next week's British Grand Prix…

Damon Hill has been warned he will be "murdered" by fellow drivers when he takes his final bow at next week's British Grand Prix. Eddie Irvine said Hill's recent performances have been so poor there is no point him turning out in front of 100,000 fans at Silverstone.

The Ferrari driver also claims Hill is needlessly risking injury in making what is expected to be his final track appearance for Jordan.

"You can only knock on the door so many times, eventually someone is going to open it," said Irvine.

"I think he would be better going to Silverstone and doing a few laps in the road car and waving at everyone because he is going to get murdered. If you look at his performances up to now what's the point?"

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Irvine believes business considerations are behind Hill's decision to carry on - after saying following his dismal showing in the French Grand Prix.

The 38-year-old Hill, who has earned around £25 million from his Formula One career, is understood to have been due another instalment of his £5 million salary with the team.

"It is probably down to business at the end of the day," added Irvine. "Damon is obviously paid a lot of money and if he walks away he probably does not get the money.

"But if you have to go to that first corner at Silverstone trying to stay on Michael's tail, no amount of money in the world can make you do it if you don't want to.

"It's bad for Jordan. There is a team that really deserve to be third in the world championship and Damon is not really helping.

"But it's for him to decide, it's not my problem. As long as he qualifies behind me I don't care."

Hill, who went off the Northamptonshire track in his first day back testing on Thursday, insists he is committed to competing at the race and has mischievously hinted it might not be his last Grand Prix.