From his beginnings to the Formula 1 world championship, from his rivalry with Lauda to his untimely passing: here is the life of James Hunt, a driver who always lived on the edge.
Veloce, sregolato e controverso: James Hunt è stato uno dei piloti più affascinanti nella storia della Formula 1, noto sia per le sue abilità al volante, sia per uno stile di vita che non era certo quello di un atleta moderno.
James Hunt’s History
Born on August 29, 1947, in Belmont, Surrey, England, Hunt had a relatively normal childhood, far from the spotlight that would later define his life. The son of a London stockbroker, he grew up in a well-to-do family and participated in various sports during his youth, including tennis and cricket, but it was the world of motorsport that truly captured his attention.
Hunt’s motorsport career began relatively late compared to other drivers. In fact, “Hunt the Shunt” discovered his passion for racing only at the age of 18, when he attended a car race at Brands Hatch. It was love at first sight, and he decided to make racing his life’s work.
After a difficult start, marked by limited financial resources and a lack of experience, Hunt managed to make a name for himself in the Formula 3 championship, where his aggressive driving style and determination led him to his first successes. However, this is also where the nickname “Hunt the Shunt” was born, reflecting his recklessness and the numerous crashes he was involved in.
In 1973, Hunt made his Formula 1 debut with Hesketh Racing, an unconventional team funded by the eccentric Lord Hesketh. Despite the lack of sponsors and a more fun-oriented approach to motorsport, Hesketh Racing managed to achieve surprising results, largely thanks to Hunt’s abilities. This is where James’s dual persona began to emerge: a true talent on the track, but off it, he embraced a rockstar lifestyle that included partying at the trendiest clubs in London, wild celebrations, and a reputation as a playboy.
The Legendary 1976 Rivalry
The turning point in Hunt’s career came in 1976 when he moved to McLaren after Hesketh Racing closed due to a lack of funds. It was a legendary year for Formula 1, marking the beginning of the epic rivalry between Hunt and Lauda, later immortalized in the film “Rush”. The season was full of twists and turns, with Lauda dominating the first part of the championship before suffering the infamous and horrific accident at the Nürburgring, where he nearly lost his life. Despite the severe burns and injuries he sustained, Lauda made an incredible return to the track just six weeks later.
Meanwhile, Hunt took the opportunity to catch up in the standings, and by the time they reached the final race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji, the two drivers were separated by only a few points. The race was held under torrential rain, and after a few laps, Lauda, still weakened and concerned about the dangerous conditions, decided to retire, believing that his life was worth more than the world title. Hunt, who initially seemed destined to miss out on the championship, managed to keep control of his car in the extreme conditions and finished the race in third place, winning the world title by just one point over Lauda.
Hunt’s victory in the 1976 World Championship cemented his status as one of the legends of Formula 1, but his career at the highest level was relatively short. After his world championship triumph, Hunt continued racing for another three years but was unable to replicate his earlier success. In 1979, frustrated with the results and tired of the racing world, he decided to retire at the young age of 31.
Retirement and Premature Death
After his retirement, Hunt found a new career as a television commentator for the BBC, where his candid style and analytical ability made him one of the most beloved figures in the paddock once again, nearly reaching the level of celebrity he had before retiring. Despite his professional success, however, Hunt’s personal life was marked by few highs and dramatic lows, including failed marriages and health problems related to his excessive and unruly lifestyle, with many remembering him as a lover of alcohol.
James Hunt passed away prematurely on June 15, 1993, at just 45 years old, due to a heart attack. The day before his death, Hunt proposed to Helen Dyson, which would have been his third marriage, following his unions with Suzy Miller and Sarah Lomax. With the latter, he had two children, Tom and Freddie.
Ancora oggi, però, il pilota britannico rimane icona di genio e sregolatezza: anche grazie a “Rush” e a tutti i racconti di chi ha vissuto una figura simile nel paddock della Formula 1, oggi sono in molti a ricordare con piacere il campione del mondo 1976, in tutte le sue sfaccettature.
Photo: Formula 1