DAMON HILL'S emphatic victory in yesterday's Japanese Grand Prix made him the first son of a world champion ever to win the championship himself and only the second British driver to win the crown since James Hunt in 1976.

Hill put on a masterful display at Suzuka, beating Villeneuve off the line and dictating the pace from the front. Villeneuve's slim chance of winning the title in his debut year ended when a rear upright snapped, sending his three wheeled Williams into the gravel trap on the 37th lap of the 51 lap race.

Michael Schumacher's second place was enough for Ferrari to take runner up spot in the Constructors' Cup, while Martin Brundle's fifth place took Jordan's season tally to 22 championship points, fifth in the constructors' championship.

For Hill, winning the title was the end of a long, hard road, as his wife, Georgie, explained. "This is what he's been working towards for many years. I think it's 13 years since he came home and said he had been to the Goodwood driving school and that one day he'd be world champion," said the mother of three. "It's been tough but Damon has got there his way, with dignity and perseverance.

While virtually all modern Grand Prix drivers have led a charmed life from birth, Hill does not fall into that category, as three time champion Jackie Stewart explained. "I can't think of any champion in recent history who has had a harder road to the top."

Hill's father, Graham, won the world title twice - in 1962 for BRM and 1968 for Lotus - but he died in 1975 when his light plane crashed in Kent on a foggy November night.

Damon was 15 at the time and life became pointless for a number of years. He spent four years as a motorcycle courier around London and started racing motorcycles. While his name was a benefit, he had no money as the family was left nothing after Graham's estate was settled.

He progressed from bikes to Formula Ford and then to Formula Three, where Cellnet sponsorship ensured he could make a living for the first time. In F3000, he got occasional drives where he showed speed but never won. However he made enough of a name to be hired to test the revolutionary active suspension Williams.

In 1993, Frank Williams slotted Hill into the race team alongside Alain Prost, who went on to win the title.

Hill's greatest test followed the death of his team leader, Ayrton Senna, at Imola in 1994. Hill picked up the pieces, held the team together, developed an evil handling car into a race winner and ended the season runner up to Schumacher.

Last year Schumacher was brilliant and Hill was runner up again. But yesterday, Hill rounded off the season with his eight victory of the year, the 21st of his 67 start career. He now goes into the record books as the 25th champion since the FIA instigated the world championship in 1950.

The new world champion moved to Dublin two years ago as he negotiated his first big money contact with Williams and needed a change of residence for tax purposes. Since then he has established himself in Killiney, living in a mansion overlooking the bay and sending his two sons to school in Bray. His first daughter was born in June in Mount Carmel.

"Damon has shown great grit and determination," said Eddie Jordan last night. "He's a mature fellow and maybe a lot of that is because he is a lot older than the others and knows a lot more about the realities of life. And I think he's all the stronger for it. He was brilliant in the race despite the pressure."

Hill reflected a mixture of huge relief and joy as he stepped from his car and strode over to his wife and embraced her to celebrate their achievement.

"I can't put into words how I feel at the moment," he said "I would like to dedicate this victory to Rothmans Williams Renault in this last drive for the team. I got word over the radio that Jacques was out of the race and on the last lap I pulled over towards the pit lane to let the lads know how I felt.

The team will fine it hard to replicate the relationship between Hill, designer Adrian Newey and the mechanics who developed the car into a winner.

Hill reflected on the race. "Jacques had too much wheelspin at the start. I got away nicely and everything went perfectly. Berger was close at one point but next minute he was a good way back. I don't think he touched me."

Eddie Irvine was not so lucky with Berger, Hill's Vico Road neighbour being taken out of fourth place by the aggressive Austrian.

"This is the second time in two races Gerhart has driven into me. He said `sorry' but it's not enough," said a disappointed Irvine. "He was quicker but could not get past. I braked a little late and went a bit wide. The next thing I knew I was up in the air. The engine cut out which was a pity because the car was undamaged."

Irvine finished the season in 10th place in the drivers' championship with 11 points, his best placing yet but he was not happy.

Eddie Jordan finished off a difficult season with Martin Brundle adding two points to the team's tally. A dejected Rubens Barrichello was off the pace and finished in ninth place.

Jordan's total of 22 points makes the season their second best - they finished on 28 points in 1994. Eddie Jordan reflected on the season before heading off for a family holiday in Thailand. "It's been a tough season but it's some consolation to finish fifth in the championship. Martin drove a strong race."

Brundle was pleased with his race. I had a really nice race. We found a good acro balance to the car. I'm ecstatic for Damon."

So Damon leaves Williams after six years on the highest of notes - race winner and, at last, the world champion. He and Georgie return to Dublin tomorrow night.