Hill: GP2 just what young drivers need.

Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill was sufficiently impressed by his test run in the GP2 Series' development car to recommend it to any driver looking to follow in his footsteps.

The Briton was one of four former grand prix regulars to test the car on a specially-arranged media day, running alongside GP2 team boss Adrian Campos, Jacques Laffite and Patrick Tambay at Paul Ricard.

Although he was the third of the quartet to venture out onto the French circuit, Hill - who was making his first run in a competitive single-seater since his retirement from F1 at the end of 1999 - was quickly into his stride, both in the car and out. With his prot?g?, and potential future GP2 series hopeful, Steven Kane watching from the pit-wall, the Briton set a brace of quick laps that impressed everyone, and stepped out of the car to sing its praises.

"It really is a very good car," Hill confirmed, "It's exactly what any young driver needs to prepare him for Formula One."

Campos had been the first man out in the morning session and, as manager of the Campos Racing squad, had benefited from advice given by drivers Sergio Hernandez and Juan Cruz Alvarez, particularly on the car's handling. After he had completed his installation laps and longer timed runs, the Spaniard, who raced for Minardi during his F1 career, admitted that the chance to sample the car had been a lot of fun, but very hard work.

"It's the best car I've ever driven in my life!" he declared.

Frenchman Jacques Laffite, who enjoyed a distinguished F1 career in the 1970s and '80s, wowed onlookers with some very sideways action out of the final corner, the 61-year old wringing the neck of the car before emerging with a grin even wider than usual.

"That was something very special," Jacques said, "This car is so fast, it made me feel like a boy again."

Tambay arrived shortly after the lunch break, but was soon strapped into the Dallara-Renault. The Frenchman admitted that he had considered making up an excuse for not turning up, having woken up at 4am pondering whether it was such a good idea, but, after a handful of laps in the car, he took off his helmet, grinned and whispered...

"I really shouldn't have come today. I haven't driven anything like this in 20 years, and I now I just want to start racing again...."