BAR hint at Hill for '99

(9-Jul-98) - British American Racing could attempt to lure Damon Hill from
Jordan to join them in their debut season next year.

Craig Pollock admitted that he sees Hill as an attractive option, and
re-voiced his desire to have Jacques Villeneuve in his team, "I need a
top driver who can take our package and advance it as quick as is humanly
possible. We will need an experienced driver."

"I think it would be very stimulating for the team to have Damon or
Jacques. You see Damon with Jordan today and Jacques with Williams and they
are not winning."

Pollock spoken about his respect for the former champion saying,
"Damon has a huge amount of talent, and I think he is totally
underestimated in Formula One."

"He is a world champion who has been a little bit forgotten by the
British, and that should not be, because he is a great champion."

BAR's managing director also admitted to speaking with Hill during the
season and skiing with him in Switzerland.

"He amazed me on skis," said the former ski instructor. "I
could not believe it. He is an excellent skiier but then he is a very
competitive guy."

Hill has an option to leave Jordan at the end of the season should he
choose to, however, after finding himself in two uncompetitive cars in the
last two years, a move to BAR could result in another car not capable of
winning races.

Pollock, though, is confident that his new car will be highly competitive
even though it has yet to run. He recently signed a deal for Mecachrome
engines and opened the new factory on Wednesday,

"I believe the team is looking as though it could be competitive even
though it has not turned a wheel yet."

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