The Beatles’ guitarist proved crucial in the success of Hill’s racing career.
(Images from: Jon Nicholson, 1994)
This year marks thirty years since Damon Hill became the Formula One World Driver’s Champion. Having his father, Graham, also being a World Champion, it seemed that winning was in his blood. However, Damon’s career wasn’t all smooth sailing. Without the help of The Beatles’ guitarist George Harrison, it is questioned whether Damon would have made it as a champion.
George Harrison had a passion for motorsport from an early age, attending the 1955 British Grand Prix at Aintree in Liverpool, at age 12.
It was through his love for speed that Harrison came to befriend many of the biggest stars of Formula One in the 70s and 80s: Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nikki Lauda, and Graham Hill. Harrison admired Graham’s style of racing but also became close personal friends with the British driver.
As Damon’s racing career hit a standstill in the mid-80s, he struggled to find a drive and the money to fund his career. It was during this time that Hill had to borrow money from family-friends to support his junior career.
(Images from: George Harrison on X.com)
Hill turned to Harrison, writing a letter to the Liverpudlian, asking whether he would be interested in supporting his career financially. The singer and racer arranged to meet, where they discussed the involvement in his racing. Harrison, alongside his wife Olivia, agreed to help the Brit out, providing him with financial support for his race seat.
Damon stated in Harrison’s documentary “Living in the Material World” how he is now “kind of horrified that I had the nerve to do it,” further adding he was “shocked he actually said he would help.”
The Beatle explained to Damon that he wanted to help him, saying it was “because I really like your dad.” His friendship with his father certainly helped in getting the financial support he needed. However, it was not just simply because of Graham.
Harrison appeared on the ‘This is Your Life’ show, featuring in the on episode on Damon Hill in 1999. There, he explained that “He comes from a good family, I think Betty and Graham have a lot to do with it, and it shows in Damon — he’s just a nice fella. And a good driver.”
Following his success in Formula 1, including becoming the World Driver’s Champion in 1996 with Williams, Damon offered to pay Harrison the money back. Yet, the singer refused.
(Images from: Goodwoood.com)
Speaking again in Harrison’s documentary, Hill expresses his gratitude for the Harrison family. “I felt really grateful to George for helping me out at a time when I really needed a leg up.”
Instead, Harrison showed up for Damon in many ways aside from financially. He often attended races, such as the British Grand Prix in 1996, and supported the Brit during his heated rivalry with German driver Micheal Schumacher.
(Images from: harrisonstories)
Talking on the Harrison family, in his Autobiography: “Damon Hill: Watching the Wheels: My Autobiography”, Damon revealed that following the death of his father in 1975, “I came to see them almost as surrogate parents,”
“To know that they wanted to help for no material gain for themselves was like a blessing, and I also took their support as a show of faith in me as a person.”
The former Beatle, George Harrison, had a pivotal role in the career and success of Formula One’s Damon Hill. This was not simply limited to finances and his life on track but also supporting him like family aside from racing.
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