Motor racing: Hill's warning to Arrows

Damon Hill, the reigning Formula One world champion, has warned his Arrows team that he will not stand for becoming an also-ran in the sport.

The British driver's season reached a new low in San Marino on Sunday when he earned a suspended one-race ban after crashing into the car of Shinji Nakano on the 11th lap. It was the fourth grand prix of the season and the fourth time Hill failed to finish. He then had to watch Heinz- Harald Frentzen, who replaced him at Williams, win his first grand prix.

Hill is seeking assurances from the Arrows team chief, Tom Walkinshaw, that there is a competitive car on the horizon. "I am constantly inquiring with Tom how things are proceeding," he said. "It's important for me to know what the future is next year for the team.

"I don't have to make a decision for a while, but you have to plan ahead," added Hill, who believes the future should be mapped out by the time of the British Grand Prix in July. "I very much became a victim of not planning ahead enough last season so I am making sure that doesn't happen this time."