James Hunt

James Hunt was a British Formula One World Champion and public school boy, who won the Drivers’ Title in 1976. During his relatively short, 7-season career in Formula 1, Hunt won 10 Grands Prix and claimed 14 pole positions. He was a double winner of the Dutch Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix. With the exception of his first victory, which he won for the flamboyant Hesketh Racing squad at the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix, Hunt achieved all his victories and poles with McLaren, where he raced in iconic Marlboro colours for 3 seasons. He moved to Wolf in 1979 but retired suddenly after just 7 races, only one of which he finished. He is often regarded as F1’s first truly global superstar and his epic 1976 championship battle with Niki Lauda was immortalised in Ron Howard’s 2013 movie, Rush. A playboy of epic, hedonistic reputation, he mellowed in later years and was one half of a legendary commentary partnership alongside Murray Walker for BBC Television between 1980 and 1993. Sadly, in June 1993, he died following a massive heart attack at home in Wimbledon, South London, aged just 45. Motorsport has mourned his passing ever since.