- Damon Hill warns that grueling schedules are draining the joy from racing.
- The former champion advises disenchanted drivers to exit if passion has faded.
- Hill highlights a shift from instinctive racing to calculated survival for veterans.
As F1 still struggles to navigate the complexities of its 2026 technical overhaul, 1996 World Champion Damon Hill has issued a warning regarding the mental state of those on the grid.
In a series of recent media appearances, Hill suggested that a “clocking-in” type mentality is replacing the thrill of racing and speed that is fundamental to the sport.
“Chewing gum”
Speaking to the BBC in early April, Hill addressed the very vocal frustrations of Max Verstappen, who has been a consistent critic of the new regs. With the Dutchman frequently labelling the new energy-management-heavy cars as ‘artificial,’ Hill questioned Max’s longevity in the sport:
“I think if you’re not happy doing something, you should stop and do something else.”
He argued that the relentless nature of modern F1 means that once the “chewing gum loses its flavour,” a driver’s commitment can waver and other forms of motor racing can appear appealing.
For Hill, the public outcry from the rivers regarding the news regs is a sign that, right now, the psychological toll of what they are having to take on board is outweighing their ‘job satisfaction.’
When the passion subsides…
Hill expanded on this in the Stay on Track podcast, where he shifted his focus to Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari. He noted a positive shift in Hamilton’s demeanour, describing the seven-time champion as “calmer” and more “detached.”
According to Hill, this is a common trait of the more experienced drivers. The “instinctive joy” that defines the early years of a driver’s career often gives way to a more calculated, clinical approach once they reach their 30s and 40s.
Hill suggests that when racing becomes a chore rather than a passion, the spark that fuels elite-level driving drops off slightly, and is not helped by the additional administrative and promotional burdens of the modern F1 era.
Jordan parallel
Hill’s thoughts very much chimed with his own personal experience, when he retired at the end of 1999 following a difficult season with Jordan.
He has often pointed to that final year as the moment he realised he was no longer enjoying the sport and the inherent risks that come with it.
Hill’s current warnings serve as a timely reminder: F1 is all-consuming, and he maintains that once a driver sees a Grand Prix weekend as a chore rather than a privilege, the best course of action is to step aside for the next generation.
