Damon Hill insisted last night that he will not make the mistake of pricing himself out of the Formula One market-place again. The world champion has been warned by the sport's power broker Bernie Ecclestone that he is going "over the top" in his wage demands.

Hill is on a £4.5 million salary with Arrows-Yamaha, but is reported to be asking for £7million from prospective employers for next season.

The 36-year-old is determined not to repeat that error and said yesterday that securing a competitive car, not his salary, was the priority for next year.

Hill is desperate to force his way back to the top of the grid after a frustrating season with Arrows that only brought his first point at the British

Grand Prix a fortnight ago.

"Money is not the primary concern at the moment," said Hill, as he prepared for Sunday's German Grand Prix.