Stewart set to hand over to Hill

Hill has stayed out of the sport since his retirement six years ago

Former F1 champion Damon Hill is set to return to motorsport as president of the British Racing Drivers' Club.

Hill, son of two-time world champion Graham, has been nominated to succeed Sir Jackie Stewart as president of the BRDC, which owns Silverstone.

Stewart, who stands down this month after six years at the helm, urged BRDC members to support Hill's nomination.

"I hope they give Damon their full support in working with the board in the club's best interests," he said.

"Damon, like his father Graham, is a shining example of excellence from a family absolutely steeped in motor racing. I wish him all success in the future."

Hill, who won the F1 drivers' title in 1996, has been out of the motorsport limelight since his retirement in 1999.

BRDC Board chairman Stuart Rolt said: "The democratic decision on electing a president lies with our membership - but I have no doubt there will be popular support within the club for Damon to succeed Sir Jackie.

"As a Formula One world champion himself, he will take on the prestige that exists in the position of president of the BRDC as an ambassador for UK motorsport.

"Damon will also symbolise the passing on of the presidency to a younger generation, which will send out an encouraging message to our newer and younger members who must take up the reins of leadership of the club in the future."

Should Hill be voted in as president he will face an immediate problem over the future of Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix.

Stewart intended his last act as president to be a deal which secured funding for redevelopment of the Northamptonshire circuit, including hotels, restaurants and a new pit lane.

But those plans have met resistance from BRDC members unhappy with the plan to lease Silverstone to property developers for 150 years in order to fund the project.

The BRDC board faces a vote of no-confidence over the issue after refusing to put the proposal to a vote at a heated extraordinary general meeting.