HENRY HOPE-FROST 1970-2018

The world of motor racing is all the poorer following the untimely death of journalist and broadcaster Henry Hope-frost in a motorcycle accident shortly after the previous issue of F1 Racing was printed.

As a life-long motorsport fan he was quite literally living the dream. He’d been expelled from the prestigious Stowe School for serial absenteeism, sneaking out of lessons to watch Formula 1 cars testing at nearby Silverstone, drawn almost magnetically by the screech of racing engines. This ‘incurable fever’ for the sport made him an incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic journalist.

‘H’ joined F1 Racing’s sister magazine Autosport in 1993, initially on the ad sales team before transferring to the editorial desk as a sub editor, where he demonstrated an intolerance of slack grammar almost equal to his love of all things motorsport. Pity the poor junior journalist who filed copy littered with hanging participles, misplaced apostrophes or mangled prepositions, for they would be lampooned mercilessly.

Henry also worked on F1 Racing and Mclaren’s in-house magazine Racing Line before launching his career as a freelancer, a journey in which he connected with fans and motor racing grandees alike through his effervescent and knowledgeable commentary at Goodwood’s annual Revival and Festival of Speed meetings, and through hosting at the Autosport International Show.

Wickedly funny and great company, Henry was also a committed family man and F1 Racing extends its deepest sympathies to Charlotte and the ‘HHF three-man junior team’. Henry’s friends have set up a crowdfunding page to look after them: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/friendsofhenryhope-frost