A victory for Damon Hill in his home GP would make it all the more sweet and poignant. I believe he is now ready to come of age and, with his knowledge and mileage around the Silverstone GP circuit, the key to victory on Sunday will be confidence. If Damon enjoys anything like the crowd support given to Mansell last year, the effect would be tangible. It adds up to a lot of pressure - and at times he may wish to hide from it - but it is an asset which he must use to its full benefit. 

Damon Hill was fastest two weeks ago in Silverstone's pre-GP testing and the only threat to his victory bid is really teammate Alain Prost. Williams continue to have a clear advantage, both in out-and-out power and in car handling. The Silverstone circuit is now the most testing of all those in the Formula One calendar and this magnifies the need for downforce, plus horsepower. In other words, you need the one to drag the other along. 

Unspoken team orders could be the only fly in the ointment for Damon Hill at Silverstone this weekend. The Williams Renault team have responsibilities as well and they are not to the drivers alone. Alain Prost's Championship lead would obviously be strengthened if he can claim his 50th win - indeed this would be a huge achievement. Sentiment has no place in a top flight GP team but, if Damon can dominate qualifying and lead the race on merit, we could have the result so many will come to see. 

Any challenge to Williams on Sunday will come from the usual duo, McLaren and Benetton. McLaren will have engine parity with Benetton for the first time in 1993 so the cars' performances can be judged on equal terms. Senna and Schumacher will fight harder than ever to be the fastest non-Renault engined team. It is not known if the extra hp will be enough to narrow the gap on the Williams Renaults but, for certain, Senna's ability to rise to the occasion is unquestioned. 

Ferrari come to Silverstone without the knowledge that British-based teams enjoy, and if the car is not instantly fast, they will suffer. However, if they prove to be quick, both Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi will be as spectacular as ever. Last weekend saw two other British drivers - Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell - to the fore in the French GP, perhaps no surprise with the Ligiers based at Magny Cours. Set-ups will be much the same for Silverstone and this Anglo-French team should not be dismissed. 

Silverstone is technically a very difficult circuit and downforce and grip are essential. Top speed can be sacrificed to take account of those factors but there can be no compromise the other way round. Last weekend at the French GP we saw significant progress made by the Silverstone-based Jordan team - and it was no fluke performance. It is my view that Rubens Barrichello will be leading the charge of the remaining teams. 

Back in the field, Lotus are in a dilemma with their actively-suspended car which so far has proved slower than last year's car. Footwork are learning about active suspension as well - a difficult thing to do at Silverstone where driver confidence is at a premium. Larrousse Lamborghini are also an unpredictable team, in spite of Robin Herd having a major role - his circuit knowledge will help. Lola BMS Ferrari will find this GP a nightmare in what has been a very disappointing season for them. 

Minardi will have a new driver here this weekend with Pierluigi Martini replacing Fabrizio Barbazza. The team believe Martini's previous experience and speed will help them as well as firing up his teammate Christian Fittipaldi. Sauber make a first appearance at Silverstone as a GP team and, like others, may well have to rely on the French GP set-up as a starter. Tyrrell Yamaha will stick with their 020 model this weekend as the 1993 cars are still not competitive. 

I have used the word confidence a lot this week. Confidence in a race car, on a circuit like Silverstone, develops through physical feelings from the car and a high level of self-belief from the driver. The result is commitment, the ability to open the throttle in the knowledge that the car will stay on the track rather than spin off it. Nigel Mansell was the master of commitment at Silverstone. This is what we will be looking to see and hear this weekend.