Right after he retired from the French Grand Prix, on lap 31, Damon Hill indicated this may well have been his last race. "That may have been my last race," said Hill. "It was not a very good weekend and when it decides to turn against you it gives you everything it's got. Qualifying was a bit of a shock. Then in the race I made my pit stop at about the right time. As I was going down the pitlane an Arrows hit me and punctured my left rear tyre. Then when the safety car came out I had a puncture and there was no way I could carry on.

"I hope it wasn't my last race but there is a possibility it might have been. I could carry on if I wanted to but I don"t want to be in a position where Eddie is not getting any more points."

In response, Eddie Jordan told reporters, "These decisions must be made by the driver. I'll support him whatever decision he makes." However, it was later revealed that Jordan told Hill in the team's pits that he should at least drive the British Grand Prix and bid farewell to his fans on his home track. None the less, Jordan added that he would not force Hill to race against his better judgement. "I would never forgive myself if Damon Hill did the race in Britain and for some horrible reason something went wrong," said Jordan.