DAMON HILL, the Formula One world champion, was fortunate to escape unhurt after crashing heavily while testing tyres for his new Arrows team in Japan yesterday.

The British driver lost control of his car at low speed on cold tyres on the exit of the hairpin at Suzuka and spun around before colliding with the wall on the inside of the track.

The impact ripped two corners off the car and wrecked the gearbox, causing the Arrows team to abandon testing a day early.

Hill was driving a Ligier for the planned two day test because he is too tall to fit in the Arrows car which has not yet been adapted for him. The team were evaluating the Bridgestone tyres which they plan using next season.