Murray Walker’s Tribute to James Hunt

 “James was a very special sort of person. He didn’t think the way other people do. He certainly didn’t act the way other people do. And he was always a very exciting, stimulating and fun; unpredictable but very authoritative, person to be with.”

After decades of commenting on, and with, James Hunt in Formula One, Murray Walker not only knew him and his career well, but was a close friend and fan himself. Inspired by the close bond they had formed, Walker put together this tribute film for Hunt, which aired following the 1993 French Grand Prix, less than three weeks after Hunt’s sudden departure.

“The clutch went on the line and then the gear lever came off on lap two.”

Inspiring and moving, the film tracks Hunt’s career through his start in Formula Ford and Formula Three, to his World Championship winning Formula One career and eventual retirement after the 1979 Monaco Grand Prix. From there it passes through his time in sports and, finally, the thirteen years he spent continuing to thrill fans of Formula One as an entertaining, exciting and unquestionably expert commentator in partnership with Murray Walker.

There is, of course, plenty of brilliant footage to be devoured along the way; especially that wonderfully-sideways approach to Formula One racing that the machines of the ’70s elicited from drivers.

The coverage of his time with Hesketh is particularly wonderful and charismatic, and does a tremendous job of capturing the spirit of the team so perfectly matched to Hunt’s own.

“For me he was the most charismatic personality that’s ever been in Formula One.”

As are the contributions from Niki Lauda, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Jackie Stewart and Murray Walker, whose insights demonstrate just how much Hunt’s one-of-a-kind presence enriched the sport and the lives of the people involved in it.

Sit back, relax and enjoy this tribute to a true character, and a brilliant racer.

Images: TheCahierArchive©

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