Ex-F1 World Champ Hill named Mumbai Marathon ambassador

Former Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill was Tuesday named the event ambassador for the 11th edition of the $360,000 Mumbai Marathon to be run Jan 19.

The 1996 British World Champion was Michael Schumacher's arch rival during the mid-1990s. He is the son of late Graham Hill and they are the only father-son duo to win the F1 drivers' title.

Born Sep 17, 1960, Hill has had 122 Grand Prix entries, 22 wins, 42 podiums, 20 poles and 19 fastest laps in his career which lasted from 1992-99. The death of his father in a plane crash in 1975 left the 15-year-old in drastically reduced circumstances and Hill worked as a labourer and motorcycle courier to support his education.

The 53-year-old started his racing career in 1991 as a test driver with the championship-winning Williams team while still competing in Formula 3000.

Racing for Williams in 1996, Hill went on to win the title ahead of his rookie teammate Jacques Villeneuve.

Hill will be here from Jan 16 till event day and hopes to inspire the younger generation of Indian sportspersons to work hard for glory. During his visit here he will meet elite athletes, encourage amateur athletes and spread the message worldwide about the event and the running movement in India.