Formula One Features — September 1996

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was at Estoril to have talks with Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone about the possibility of holding a Grand Prix in Malaysia in 1999.

Bernie Ecclestone began talking about a revolution he was planning in Formula 1 as long ago as the start of 1994. At the British Grand Prix in July that revolution officially began with Ecclestone's FOCA Television crew - around 120 people - inhabiting a vast grey mobile TV "building" which appeared behind the paddock at Silverstone. Inside were multiple production facilities, editing areas, workshops and satellite equipment. The entire facility - nearly 20 truckloads of equipment - has since been dismantled and transported from race to race. It cost $45m to build and its annual transportation bills will be around $1m.

Damon Hill goes to Monza this weekend with the chance of winning the World Championship. He has a 13 point lead over his Williams team mate and rival Jacques Villeneuve with three races to go. If Hill wins and Villeneuve finishes lower than third the Englishman will become World Champion - and the first man World Champion to be the son of a World Champion.

Everyone in Britain knows about BBC motor racing commentator Murray Walker and his famous gaffes. For 20 years Murray has kept television viewers around the world informed with his screeches and yelps of excitement. It is not just the British who enjoy it because the same commentary goes out to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and even Hong Kong. In fact, in Australia Murray is an even bigger celebrity than in Britain.

Before the Portuguese Grand Prix Damon Hill could not stop himself thinking that within an hour and 45 minutes he might become World Champion. He was starting the race from pole position and at Williams the driver who qualifies best gets first call on when to stop during the race. He had a strategic advantage.

There has been much talk in recent days about Alain Prost establishing a "French national racing team". To the other F1 teams governmental help is, at best, a dream and yet in France government after government has poured money into motor racing. Why?