“To prove them wrong”

In 1996, Damon Hill won the Formula One World Championship, becoming the first son of a former champion to do so. He clinched the title at the Japanese Grand Prix after his rival, teammate Jacques Villeneuve, retired from the race, and Hill went on to win the Grand Prix itself. This victory was the first and only World Championship of his career, which ran from 1992 to 1999. 

Hill had come close in 1994 and 1995, losing out to Michael Schumacher and his Benetton, and some had started to question his ability to finally get the world title.

“I had met a lot of scepticism in my career and I had to prove people wrong. So by winning the (1996) championship, I felt – there you go, you said it couldn’t be done, now what are you going to do?” – Damon Hill.