Two titles and I'm on my bike

Damon Hill wants to win a second world title for his fans - before stepping into retirement.

For Hill, who has just signed a two-year pounds 10 million deal with Jordan, is already planning a new life away from motor racing "when it's time to put away the toy cars."

1996 world champion Hill was happy to talk about retirement for the first time with the Sunday Mirror as he looked forward to stepping back onto the front of the Formula One grid with Jordan Honda.

He sadly transfers his world crown to either Jacques Villeneuve or Michael Schumacher in Spain next weekend, knowing he had no chance of successfully defending his title with Arrows.

But the British racer is confident he can win it back again with jovial Irishman Eddie Jordan's team before finally hanging up his helmet for good.

Smiled Hill: "I keep asking my wife Georgie if I can retire but she hasn't said yes yet - I think she wants to buy a few more dresses. But seriously, I will consider my future in two years time because I don't want to be pedalling it out around the track if I can't deliver.

"I don't want to be lagging it around for a fifth place with my team- mate winning the race.

"It wouldn't matter how much I was being paid I wouldn't want to do it."

In a week that has seen England football coach Glenn Hoddle announce his marriage break-up after 18 years, Hill stressed the importance of protecting his precious family.

To escape the pressures of fame, Hill moved to Dublin where he adores the freedom to play happy families with his three children - Oliver, Joshua and Tabitha.

And with another child on the way, he told me: "You give up an awful lot when you are a motor racing driver.

"I miss my children when I'm away but I give as much as I can to them when I'm back home.

"It does get a little easier as time goes by because you learn to be more flexible.

"But when the time comes to think about the future I will, of course, be thinking of the children.

"I don't want to isolate myself any more from my family.

"You know when it's time to put away your toy cars. I would like to do a lot of other things just than motor racing."

Hill has endured a fretful 12 months trying to get the best out of an uncompetitive car.

And there will be few tears shed when he steps out of his wavering Arrows machine for the last time at the European Grand Prix in Jerez next Sunday.

For a man who secured 21 race victories and 20 poles in his Williams days, it's been an eye-opening experience for Hill to battle to finish races this season.

And the very public telling off he received at Silverstone from team owner Tom Walkinshaw didn't help relations either - although it did appear to ignite Damon's season for a race or two.

He went out and scored his very first point of the season in front of his home fans at the British Grand Prix and then confounded his critics by taking a magnificent second place in Hungary.

Hill could quite comfortably retire now to his luxurious Irish retreat and enjoy the millions he has earned with his family.

But he feels there's a lot of unfinished business to be tackled before that day arrives.

"I think we can win races next year no question and if you can win races you can always play a part in the championship," insisted Hill, 37.

"And, yes, I want to give something back to the fans and finish my career on a high.

"You start off doing it for yourself and then it becomes something bigger than that.

"I never knew until I reached the top of the mountain how much I liked the ride . . . and it has just refuelled my hunger to get there again."

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