8. Damon Hill wins and takes the title – 1996
The 1996 Formula One season ended with the Japanese Grand Prix, and it will be remembered for the race that Damon Hill finally clinched the title after several years of trying.
The Williams pairing of Hill and Jacques Villeneuve had been the dominant force in the ’96 after Schumacher had moved to the less competitive Ferrari squad. As such, heading into the final round of the season, Hill was nine points ahead and the odds-on favourite to take the title. Villeneuve needed to win, and Hill not to score, to have any chance of winning the championship in his debut season.
The Canadian rookie gave himself the best opportunity and qualified on pole position, with Hill second. But his hopes evaporated on lap 36 when he lost a wheel and crashed out of the race.
Hill was left to cruise to the finish to take the title in the best possible way – with a win. The winning margin over nemesis Michael Schumacher was just under two seconds at the line.
It was the perfect way to recover from the heartbreak of 1994, and the disappointment of 1995. It was also a feel good story, with Damon emulating his father (who was killed in a plane crash when he was young) Graham’s achievement in winning the world title. The Hills have gone down in history as the only father and son duo to both win the championship.
Photo Credit: LAT Photographic/Williams F1
