Hill Signs Silverstone Risk Waiver.

Damon Hill will race in the British Grand Prix at his own risk, after being asked to absolve the Jordan team of any liability in the event of an accident.


Hill, who is thought likely to retire after the Silverstone race, is understood to have signed an agreement freeing the team of legal and financial responsibility should he have the misfortune to to be injured in next Sunday's event. The move is seen in some quarters as another sign that his employers are not happy with the 1996 world champion after several disappointing performances this year.


Many Jordan insiders were convinced that Hill had quit the sport following an emotional outburst at Magny-Cours last weekend, in which the driver claimed that the French GP could have been his last race. It emerged, however, that, after two days of consideration, Hill rang Eddie Jordan at Wimbledon to inform him of his decision to contest the British round, and may even continue beyond that.


"There was absolutely no pressure or coercion from me or the sponsors for Damon to race at Silverstone," said Jordan, "It was, and is, entirely his decision. I would never ask any driver to go out if he didn't want to - it has to be up to him."


Ferrari star Eddie Irvine slammed Hill's decision to race, saying that it could all end in tears.


"I don't feel he has [retired] in very classy style," said the outspoken Irishman. "He should have turned up on race day, put in three demonstration laps in a road car and then quit. Motorsport is too dangerous if you don't really care to do it. You are not here to race for fun - you've got a job to do.


"If I had made up my mind to retire - as Damon clearly has - I'd be scared getting in the car. You can only knock on the door so many times before someone opens it."