Freddie Hunt celebrates his father’s legacy at the 83rd Members' Meeting

Across the Motor Circuit, an exhilarating collection of cars charted Hunt’s F1 journey from 1973-79, these machines carrying as much charm as Hunt once had with their various liveries all shining in the sun. Among them, it was impossible not to feel emotional seeing Freddie Hunt, wearing a matching replica helmet bearing his own name, behind the wheel of the McLaren M26 for some demonstration laps.

Knowing that the very McLaren M23 in which he sealed his title at the dramatic 1976 Japanese Grand Prix was present was equally thrilling, a campaign remembered full of rivalry, controversy and speed. As Karun Chandhok reflected before getting into the cockpit of the Theodore TR1, “as much as we come to see the cars, it’s great to see the faces, too.”

Strolling through the paddocks, the line‑up of cars includes the Ferrari 312T — a car bearing the name of Hunt’s greatest rival, Niki Lauda, and a Brabham BT21, with Hunt's Championship-winner shining brightly between them. Once these wonderful machines fired into life for their demonstration, the excitement around the Motor Circuit only grew. Seeing them on track brought Hunt’s story rushing back in full colour.

The Hesketh 308C recalled the moment Hunt first turned heads at Zandvoort — then a seaside circuit woven through sand dunes and defined by rapid straights. It was there that Hunt took his first Formula 1 victory, a remarkable rise for a driver who first learned to drive on a tractor in Wales, passing his driving test just one week after turning 17.

Both the Hesketh 308C and the unmistakable McLaren M23 took to the Motor Circuit, alongside machines representing Hunt’s rivals, including 1977 Tyrrell P34, and each lap felt like a step through Hunt’s career, with the cars perfectly capturing the fierce talent and larger-than-life personality that defined him. 

That defining moment came at Fuji. In rain that swallowed the horizons, and despite the race being dangerously wet, Hunt pushed on in what became Formula 1’s first globally televised event. Gaining third place in torrential conditions, he prevailed in the race that decided everything — securing the 1976 World Championship by a single point.

To truly channel his spirit, there was champagne ready to be sprayed, and a James Hunt look-alike, cigar raised proudly — because how else could it end? This feature didn’t just celebrate Hunt’s legacy; it was an electrifying moment for all of us in attendance, reminding us all just how indelible his mark on motorsport truly is.

The 83rd Members' Meeting is live now! You can watch every moment of the action on our live stream right here on GRR.

Tickets for the 84th Members’ Meeting will be available immediately after this year’s event for Members and Fellows of the GRRC. Admission and Grandstand tickets will go on sale on Monday 20th April for Members, and Tuesday 21st April for Fellows.

Photography by Tom Baigent, Pete Summers and Joe Harding.