Damon Hill was yesterday left with Jordan as his only option for a competitive Formula One drive next year after the Arrows and Prost teams both rejected the reigning world champion. Hill was ditched by his employers for the second successive season with Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw following Frank Williams in dispensing with the driver's services over money.

And just when it looked as though Hill was set to link up again with his former Williams team-mate Prost, the team spearheaded by the Frenchman issued a statement confirming that talks between the two parties had broken down.

Hill, 37 yesterday, is being replaced at Arrows by a cheaper alternative in current Tyrrell racer Mika Salo. Prost have now decided that Hill is not the man to join Frenchman Olivier Panis in their 1998 line-up, despite reports that the Dublinbased driver had agreed a £5 million deal. Jordan are now the only option if Hill is to maintain realistic hopes of adding to his 21 Grand Prix victories after the Silverstone-based team lost out in the High Court earlier this week in their legal battle with Benetton to retain Giancarlo Fisichella's services.

Jordan, who are keen to have Hill last year, have until this afternoon to lodge an appeal over the judges decision. But their main backers, Benson & Hedges, are reportedly keen to have Hill on board next year knowing he would give them a higher profile. Salo, 30, in his third season with Tyrrell, is seen as one of the best drivers around but has lacked a competitive car. He is currently 17th in the championship with only 2 points.