Freddie Hunt watches old F1 races ‘just to listen’ to his father again

Nearly five decades after James Hunt captured the Formula 1 world championship in one of the sport’s most unforgettable title battles, his voice still echoes through the Hunt family home.

For his son, Freddie Hunt, those echoes have become something deeply personal – a way of reconnecting with a father he lost far too soon.

James Hunt, the charismatic McLaren world champion whose fierce 1976 rivalry with Niki Lauda became motorsport folklore, passed away from a heart attack in 1993 at just 45 years old. But to Freddie, his father’s unmistakable voice still feels close.

‘Just to listen to him’

Speaking to The Telegraph, Freddie made the emotional admission that he regularly revisits old Formula 1 broadcasts simply to hear his father commentating once again.

“I still remember his voice,” he said. “Sometimes I watch old grands prix with him commentating, just to listen to him.”

After retiring from racing in 1979, James Hunt became one of Formula 1’s most beloved broadcasters alongside legendary commentator Murray Walker.

His sharp wit, honesty and unmistakable delivery made him a natural behind the microphone – and those recordings now carry enormous emotional weight for his son.

Freddie admitted the grief still hits unexpectedly, even decades later.

“It depends what mood I’m in. Sometimes I talk about Dad and I cry like a baby and I’m really emotional about it. Other times I’m not,” he said.

Carrying the Hunt name

Freddie himself followed motorsport into adulthood, competing in categories including British Formula Ford and Germany’s ADAC Formel Masters before stepping away under the pressure attached to the Hunt surname.

In recent years, however, he has returned to racing through endurance and historic motorsport, while pursuing ambitions of competing at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Yet even as Formula 1 evolves into a modern technological giant, Freddie suspects his father would hardly recognise the sport today.

“It’s run by AI,” he said.

“It’s bad enough with all this battery power…I would imagine he’d say, ‘Well, this is a load of rubbish’ and look for employment elsewhere.”

• Read also: Norris puts Le Mans on bucket list as McLaren builds Hypercar era

Freddie also reflected on Rush, the Hollywood portrayal of James Hunt’s rivalry with Lauda, admitting he may have softened his earlier criticism of Chris Hemsworth’s performance as his father.

“I’ve actually got hold of his PA’s details. Because I’m aware that he’s never had the chance to defend himself,” he explained.

"I don’t know if he was directed to act that way, or he just chose not to. I mean, I just want to hear his side, you know? If he calls me a ****, that’s fine.”

Still, Freddie maintained that director Ron Howard “buggered about” with the truth behind one of Formula 1’s greatest rivalries.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook