Freddie Hunt: “I had no idea how much my father was loved”

Hello, Mr Hunt! What do you know about this unforgettable 1976 Japanese Grand Prix, where your father became world champion? Who told you about it?

Family members and friends, my father's former enemies, journalists... Everyone told me about it! I also read a lot of press cuttings and books. Above all, I had long conversations with Alastair Caldwell, team manager of McLaren in 1976. I believe it remains one of the greatest comebacks in the history of F1 (Hunt erases a 26-point deficit over Niki Lauda, ​​who suffered a serious accident at the Nürburgring, to win by one point. Editor’s note). Amazing ! It's one of the greatest seasons in history. Well, this year 2021 is not bad either!

So it was through the people who knew him that you discovered your father?

Yes, first through the circle of close friends which gradually widened. As a child, it was family and loved ones. Then through meetings with people who had only met him a few times, but who taught me something new about him. This is how the image of my father was drawn, in small touches.

Who are the people who spoke to you the most about him?

Regarding the pilot, no one in particular. It was all the little stories and anecdotes that people told me that introduced me to his career. Niki (Lauda. Editor’s note) told me a lot about him. In " Rush "(film directed by Ron Howard and retracing the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda. Editor's note), they become friends at the end. In fact, they were very close from F3. Lord Hesketh, my godfather (also patron of James Hunt and boss of the Hesketh Racing team who officiated from 1973 to 1978. Editor's note), also spoke to me about him, but less than Murray Walker (journalist who commentated on Grands Prix from the 50s until 2001 on the BBC. Editor’s note). They were very complicit even if the d�