Formula One Features — August 1995

To satisfy all the spectators of motor racing, not only the vast numbers of TV viewers but also the enthusiasts, the race should be won by the fastest car/driver combination on the day, having overtaken his rivals.

McLaren was once the most feared Grand Prix team with a record of success which outstripped even the legendary Ferrari. Ron Dennis's group of companies - co-owned by Saudi Arabian businessman Mansour Ojjeh - had even launched itself into Ferrari's own road car market with the remarkable "McLaren F1" road car. Dennis was launching a World Land Speed Record attempt. But then everything seemed to go wrong. The racing team stopped winning; the supercar market dried up and the Land Speed Record attempt was put on hold. McLaren, it seemed, had lost its way. What does Ron Dennis say when he hears people make such accusations?

The last few weeks have been difficult ones for Damon Hill. There was the collision with Michael Schumacher at Silverstone and all the controversy which followed it. There was the accident in Hockenheim. There was the uncertainty over his future may be and - to top it all - Damon also had to worry about his wife Georgie giving birth to their third child. And yet, when you finally get to see the man away from the public eye, he is remarkably cool and calm. The British are wellknown for their "stiff upper lip" but this is not an affected emotion. It is Damon's way. People say he is moody and, perhaps, sometimes the frustrations do get to him but he can absorb pressure and indeed seems to thrive on it. Last week Damon won a finely-judged victory in Budapest. The same weekend he re-signed with Williams for 1996 and suddenly he is in a position where he can challenge for the 1995 title AND, according to Michael Schumacher, will start 1996 as favorite for that title as well. What does Damon think about such prop

Eighteen months ago the world had never heard of Scottish racing driver David Coulthard. Motor racing fanatics might have known that the 24-year-old had enjoyed moderate success in Formula 3000, winning a race at Enna and had done some low-profile testing for Rothmans Williams Renault.