I didn't known James Hunt either but there is a lot that can be observed from diver’s attitude on track, his statements and deeds. If it isn’t possible than no one could say for example that Hunt and Piquet were the greatest playboys in F1, that Berger was a joker or that Senna was extremely concentrated?
Knowing someone in person won’t tell you much if this person is withdrawn or hypocrite while TV statements and behavior of sincere and open person followed trough decade or more certainly can.
When James Hunt did what he did contemporary cars were also “the safest it has ever been”, I’m certain than in 10 or 20 tears people will find 2005 cars very dangerous just as we now find cars from late ‘70s…
What I’m trying to say is that only a chance for scoring additional 10 points doesn’t’ justify passing near your brothers wracked car or missing to be with your father the day your mother died. Being psychosocially able to race F1 with such burden seams impossible, unless it really isn’t that much of a burden to some people. If he wasn’t in good relations with his mother I’d understand his and Ralf’s decision to race on that day, but since that wasn’t the case I don’t know how could they (as persons) afford something like that.
MS didn't go to Senna's funeral, which is a historical fact, not my opinion and it has nothing to do with being religious or not. I'm atheist but I have gone to funerals of people of various religions/confessions and even been asked to help in ceremony (carried cross). No priest ever asked me if I belong to same religious group or am I religious or not. Attending a funeral isn’t an expression of religious beliefs but expression of respect to deceased. I fell stupid saying this here… MS was expected to show up on Senna’s funeral not as MS - the common person but as MS as leader of the F1 championship, as Senna’s greatest rival at that moment and as a public figure.
BTW, I hate the funerals and avoid them too, especially since my parents are no longer making funeral attending decisions for me, but I’m not an F1 driver battling for championship, traveling thousands of miles every month showing up my nose all over the globe racing and promoting sponsors so that an additional trip would be out of the question. I’m certain that among other drivers who attended the funeral were also those non-religious but as I’ve already said, it was an act of decency expected from them.
I accept that some people agree with me regarding MS and that some don't, but even if that was 50-50 situation there is obviously something very compromising about MS since such discussions about his personality, moral and behavior on track last as long as his racing career. I might be not informed properly, but I haven’t heard a bit similar said about any other diver in history even though all of them just like the rest of us had vices, ups and downs.
Where there’s smoke…
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