Damon Hill set the fastest time in his Arrows Yamaha yesterday as the Formula One world explored the drastically changed Osterreichring, scene of Sunday's revived Austrian Grand Prix.

Since the last Formula One race at Zeltweg, 10 years ago, the once long and high speed track has been completely redesigned to a short, tight circuit with an emphasis on safety.

The Grand Prix teams and drivers got an extra two hours practice yesterday to start finding settings and gear ratios before formal practice starts today, and the drivers were generally unenthusiastic about the lay-out.

Bridgestone made the best first guess at what tyres the circuit required, Hill leading the two Stewart Fords of Rubens Barrichello and Jan Magnussen, with Jarno Trulli's Prost Mugen Honda fifth. The fastest Goodyear runner was Jean Alesi in a Benetton Renault in fourth place.

Hill, who was disparaging about the circuit after testing here privately in a Williams last year, was in better spirits yesterday, despite an announcement that Prost had ended negotiations with him to drive the Prost Peugeot next year.

His final options to continue Grand Prix racing next year now appear to be with the Jordan team and, less likely, with Benetton.

As well as negotiations with both Sauber and Prost breaking down, his current team has just signed Mika Salo to fill the seat Hill has obviously now given up.