Damon and his wife Georgie bid farewell to the Formula One circuit at the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix - a banner in the background reads: 'I'll never forget you Damon'.

A young Damon watches his father, Graham Hill, race at Silverstone through a periscope.

Damon Hill's first interest in motorsports came in the form of motorcycles - in fact he worked as a despatch rider to fund his upcoming Formula Ford 1600 career.

From the years 1984 to 1990, Hill enjoyed great success in Formula Ford 1600 and Formula 3000 championships.

The British driver was given his Formula One debut by the Brabham team, making his debut in the 1992 British Grand Prix, finishing 16th. Hill joined the Williams team the following year.

The Briton won his first Grand Prix in Hungary, which was closely followed by wins in Belgium and Italy. Hill went on to finish third in the 1993 world drivers championship.

In a year that saw the tragic death of his Williams team-mate Ayrton Senna, Hill's spirits were raised with victory at home in the 1994 British Grand Prix.

A collision in the Australian Grand Prix later that season with Michael Schumacher, cost Hill the world championship, with the German eventually winning by a point.

In 1996 - after finishing second to Michael Schumacher in the previous two seasons - Hill finally lifted the F1 trophy at the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit.

The British champion agreed to join the Arrows team the following season, but not before picking up the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award for the second time, as well as an OBE from the Palace.

Jordan team owner Eddie Jordan signed the Briton on a two year-deal in 1997. The following year Jordan was awarded with a Hill win at the Belgian Grand Prix - in what turned out to be the last victory of Damon's career.

The 39-year-old Briton retires after winning 22 races from 115 starts and collecting 360 Grand Prix points.