Auto Talk - James Hunt's son Freddie
24 May 2007 The latest addition is Freddie Hunt – son of 1976 world champion James. Trackside’s Keith Collantine met the newest member of motor racing’s Famous Father’s Club. Freddie Hunt says “hello” in a voice which takes me back fifteen years to happy afternoons sitting on the sofa, glued to the Grand Prix. He manhandles his crash helmet free, letting loose a mane of long, wavy hair and shakes my hand warmly - breaking into a grin which recalls the trademark smile his father sported after each of his many race victories. The 19-year-old protégé has just eased out of a race car bearing the number 76, the year of his father’s F1 title-winning season. Expectations
“Everyone thinks there’ll be extra pressure because of who I am,” admits Freddie in the familiar Hunt brogue. “But most of the pressure comes from myself.” Freddie was just six when his father died after suffering heart failure at the age of 43. Hunt Senior’s swashbuckling style captured the hearts of British motor racing fans. He transformed from the accident-prone driver dubbed ‘Hunt the Shunt’ to a romantic hero who was champion against the odds in a dramatic and controversial season. Polo pony Younger fans were captivated by his slightly insolent and dry humour that enlivened even the dullest Grands Prix alongside fellow legend Murray Walker. The young Freddie didn’t get straight behind the wheel. His first encounter with horsepower came on the back of a polo pony. Now he’s in pursuit of the same glories his father chased three decades ago. Freddie may not bring much experience with him – he missed out on the years of karting his rivals had – but he’s brought much of the trademark Hunt spirit. ‘Hunt the Shunt Jnr’
He said: “Because of daddy I was able to get a seat straight away in a top team. I don’t think any Joe Bloggs without a famous name could do that.” However after crashing at the first corner of his first race many were quick to dismiss him as ‘Hunt the Shunt Jnr’. He said: “I got a little bit angry about that - a lot of people said ‘it’s bloody harsh on the poor boy in his first race – it could have happened to anyone’.” Party animal But unlike his dad he prefers more sober pursuits away from the track. He reckons: “You can’t party too much and be a racing driver these days – you have to be totally professional.” I met Freddie at only his second event he was racing in front of a crowd of 74,000 as his series supported the A1 Grand Prix event at Brands Hatch. Freddie wants to follow the career path his father took by graduating from Formula Ford to the faster Formula 3 series – which F1 star Lewis Hamilton won two years ago. For now Freddie is making up for lost time. He said: “I’m getting better – I was definitely quicker the last time. But I need to find more.” You ask the questions
Simon Stiel asks whether Frieddie’s uncle David, who raced briefly in the 1980s, has been helping him get started. Freddie said: “David has been a massive help – he’s negotiated with teams, helped find sponsors and even given me driver coaching. “I’m learning everything from him at the moment.” David Smith of Peterborough wants to know whether Freddie’s lack of karting experience was an obstacle for him. Freddie replied: “It is a problem but more for racing than actually driving. I need more experience of being in a racing scenario – I’m not going fast enough in races at the moment because I’m too tense. Most of my top rivals spent years in karts.” Auto Trader links Auto Talk: Richard Hammond Auto Talk: Vicki Butler-Henderson (2007) |
In a world of famous motor racing sons expectations weigh heavy.
Like his father he is ruthlessly self-critical and honest.
We put your questions to Freddie Hunt.Page 1
