Damon Hill finally broke the silence today after he was sacked from the Williams team a couple of days ago.

He commented: "It was a shock, but I've had worse shocks in my life and in Formula One. I feel like I've been to Mars and back in the last ten days, there has been so much to-ing and fro-ing. I've an opportunity now to explore other teams. I can bring my expertise too in order to develop a winning car."

Hill said on the rumours of him quitting Formula One: "I'm not a quitter. I love racing cars and I would prefer above all else to race a Formula One car, which is the pinnacle of the sport."

Hill also ruled out the Stewart Grand Prix team next year: "There has to be the right total package. It's not sufficient simply to take on a project. I want to win, that's my motivation."

He added: "You can understand my disappointment. I have led the championship all season and have turned myself around to become a leading driver. I always thought the reward for winning races should be the opportunity to drive the b est equipment. I thought winning the championship would put me in a good negotiating position for the end of the season."

Adrian Newey, chief-contructor for Williams-Renault, has quit the team to start working for the McLaren-Mercedes team.

Newey is regarded to be one of the best constructors in Formula One.