Hill tells DC: Forget McLaren - be selfish.

1996 Formula One world champion, Damon Hill has sent a message to his fellow countryman and former team-mate, David Coulthard, telling him he must be 'selfish' if he is to survive in F1 post-2004.

Speaking to British newspaper, The Sun, Hill said that DC needs to think about himself, and forget Team McLaren-Mercedes, who have already decided to dispense with the Scot's services for 2005, instead opting for Juan Pablo Montoya.

"Each year David has promised so much and not delivered," said Hill, "but now that the clock is ticking, maybe it will give him a boost needed. It is now or never and, if he is to become the dominant force at McLaren this year, he needs to say, 'To hell with everyone - I'm racing for myself'.

"David has been at McLaren for so long because he is a good team player and also does his promotional tasks well. But you should not be in the sport to do it well - only to win."

"Being liked by the team or the sponsors can be important but it doesn't help lift the trophy at the end of the season," continued the former Williams, Arrows, Jordan and Brabham driver. "What David needs to do is to stop thinking about everyone else and become totally selfish."

"During my eight years in the sport," added Hill, "I never had a contract that was longer than a year. I didn't have the security David has enjoyed and I was continually fighting for survival. That kept me on my toes and ensured I performed to the highest level."

Hill won 22 grand's prix during his career from 1992-1999, notching up 360 points in total in addition to 20 poles and 19 fastest laps.

DC has won only 13 grand's prix to date, making his debut back in 1994.

Hill and Coulthard were team-mate's at Williams in 1994 and 1995.