“Jacques was fast”

Melbourne, Australian Grand Prix 1996. The 58-lap race was won by Damon Hill in his Williams FW18-Renault. Hill’s teammate Jacques Villeneuve, making his Formula One debut, sensationally took pole position and led most of the race (picture above), before an oil leak enabled Hill to catch and pass him in the closing laps. Eddie Irvine finished third in a Ferrari.

Damon Hill remembers: “Jacques was fast but he couldn’t get away. In fact I was so close my car turned orange from his oil. It has since become known as the ‘Orange Car’.”

Damon continues: “Then Jacques had a little ‘off’ which might have dislodged a pipe and he had to back off making it easier for me to pass. So I nicked it off him. Sorry mate.”

Picture below: Damon Hill crosses the finishing line and wins the 1996 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Park, in his ‘orange’ Williams FW18-Renault.