PARIS, Sept 4, 2007 (AFP) - James Hunt and Nelson Piquet are legendary names in Formula One.

Now their sons are desperate to prove that they also have the same world title-winning ability.

Freddie Hunt was just six when his father, as swashbuckling in his private life as he was behind the wheel, died from heart failure at 43.

Now, the 19-year-old is starting out on the long, hard road to the top and, so far, it´s been a bumpy ride with him struggling in 11th place in the British Formula Ford championship.

"Everyone thinks there´ll be extra pressure because of who I am. But most of the pressure comes from myself," said Hunt who admits that having such a famous father has helped him get a start.

"Because of dad I was able to get a seat straight away in a top team. I don´t think any Joe Bloggs without a famous name could do that."

One thing Hunt junior does not have in common with his father is the 1976 F1 champion´s liking for late nights.

"You can´t party too much and be a racing driver these days - you have to be totally professional."

Hunt´s immediate ambition is to follow the path blazed by compatriot Lewis Hamilton, who also came through junior formulas on his way to his current position of being Formula One world championship leader.

Nelson Piquet junior, whose father captured the F1 title in 1981, 1983 and 1987, is two years older than Hunt and is closer to the big time, working as a test driver with struggling world champions Renault.

He has already found himself at the centre of driver speculation for 2008 with some observers tipping him to replace the misfiring Giancarlo Fisichella, while others believe he will replace Alexander Wurz at Williams where he would team up with Nico Rosberg, the son of 1982 world champion Keke.

Piquet insists that having a famous F1 pedigree isn´t necessarily an advantage in the paddock.

"To be honest, by the time you get to Formula One, I don´t think it is reputation that counts," said the Brazilian.

"If you have made it this far, then it is because you have talent and the potential to do the job. I think that is what people within the team judge you on, not a name or a reputation. They know the times, they can see the work you do, and that is what decides whether you fail or succeed.

"A famous name may create attention in the outside world, but I am my own person and determined to succeed on my own merits, not thanks to my father´s achievements."

His compatriot Bruno Senna also has high hopes.

The 23-year-old nephew of the late triple champion Ayrton, who was killed at San Marino in 1994, is in the shop window, driving this year in the GP2 series on the undercard of every F1 weekend where he currently sits in ninth place in the championship.

"I never stopped liking motorsports, even after Ayrton´s accident. I stopped watching for two, three years. I wasn´t feeling very comfortable towards the Formula One races," recalled Senna.

"Slowly I got it back."