It almost seems hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years to the day since Damon Hill clinched the World Championship at Suzuka. After a season long battle with rookie team mate Jacques Villeneuve Hill was crowned champion when Villeneuve’s wheel fell off mid-race.
Hill’s title was memorable for a number of reasons. He started his car racing career quite late, having initially raced motorbikes, didn’t make his F1 debut until he was 31. He was the first son of a world champion to win the title, and he equalled a record held by both Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna by qualifying on the front row for every race.
What really makes his title stick in the mind however is Murray Walker’s commentary during the last lap of the race.
It’s packed with the kind of emotion and passion that make Murray such an icon and, as was often the case, his commentary provided the icing on the cake of an already historical achievement. There’s even a mistake or two in there, but given the emotion of the situation I think we’ll forgive him that one!
It’s one of the great moments of all sport which never, ever fails to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, even after all these years.