Damon Hill recalls being called ‘worst driver ever’ by F1 legend Arnoux

20:30, 14 Jan

byTobia Elia

Damon Hill has shared an anecdote involving René Arnoux, recalling a rather unfriendly remark he once received that he took as a compliment.

“He came up to me and he said: ‘You’re the worst driver I’ve ever seen in my life!’”

- Damon Hill

Speaking on the Stay on Track podcast alongside Johnny Herbert, the 1996 world champion revealed that he was once labelled the “worst driver ever seen” by René Arnoux — one of Formula 1’s most iconic figures from the late 1970s and 1980s.

“When I was racing, I had Rene Arnoux came up to me, because I had crashed into one of his drivers, or I didn’t crash into him, I did something,” Hill explained, referring to an incident that took place during his Formula 3000 days.

“And he’d been managing a driver in Formula 3000. He came up to me and he said: ‘You’re the worst driver I’ve ever seen in my life!’ But, I thought coming from him that was quite the compliment.”

Despite never winning a world title, the Frenchman earned widespread acclaim, above all for his legendary duel with Didier Pironi at Dijon in 1982 — a battle that remains one of the most iconic moments in Formula 1 history.

Photo: Race Pictures

Frentzen backs unexpected contender for 2026 title bid

Hill, who partnered the former German driver during their time as team-mates, took to X to pose the question of who he believes will be crowned world champion next season.

Frentzen offered a swift and confident reply, pointing to Fernando Alonso, who is on the verge of embarking on his 23rd season in Formula 1 and will celebrate his 45th birthday on July 29, already standing as the oldest driver on the current grid.

Read the full story here.

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