Rush: The story of the iconic rivalry between two racing greats, Niki Lauda and James Hunt

RUSH movie poster Chris Hemsworth as James hunt and Daniel Bruhl as Niki Lauda

Released 10 years ago, today, the film portrays the true story of Austrian Niki Lauda and British playboy James Hunt during the 70s. Considered by many to be the Golden era of Formula one the 70s was filled with Iconic names, fierce competition and extreme danger. Directed by Ron Howard and composed by Hans Zimmer the biography won six awards including a BAFTA and gained 65 nominations.

​Like the film, the pair first started their rivalry in Formula 3. Following them through their careers in F1 and climaxing at the Nürburgring in 1976.

Lauda secured a place on the grid in 1971 and Hunt joined three years later. The subplot recounts Hunts playboy life style and the highs and lows of his relationship with supermodel Suzy Miller. While Lauda falls in love
​with another model Marlene Kanaus.

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The film centres around the 1976 season, one of Formula ones greatest season long battles. The year started with Hunt signing with Mclaren, while Lauda went into his third year with Ferrari and as the 75’ world champion. Consisting of 16 races and dramatic turn of events James Hunt finished the season as the 1976 world champion.

​The season started with the Mclaren driver picking up pole position in the first two races (Brazil & South Africa) but Ferrari continued to dominate the Sunday podium with Lauda beating Hunt off the line to win race one and two, then completing a 1-2 for the team in race three (U.S West).

Round four saw the real rivalry start. Hunt once again on pole was beaten to the first corner by Lauda who then led for the next 31 laps. A third of the way through the race both Mclaren drivers found another gear enabling Hunt to overtake Lauda and win the race. However Niki was declared the winner while Hunt and his M23 were disqualified for being 1.5cm too wide. The weekend saw Lauda sit at the top of the drivers standings with 33 pts and Hunt in fifth with six pts. Until Mclaren successfully appealed the disqualification a few months later, claiming that the difference was minimal, and James Hunt was reinstated as the winner of the Spanish GP.
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Lauda and his Ferrari followed up this race with two more wins and another podium before Hunt saw his next. Engine failure for both Ferraris allowed Hunt to successfully take the chequered flag first in Paul Ricard. Brands Hatch, home to Mclaren, Hunt and an action packed round 9. A turn 1 collision with the Ferraris brought out a red flag, during the pile up Hunt received damage. While make his way back to the pit Hunt took short cuts and didn’t complete a full lap disqualifying him from the race restart. However crowd chants pressured officials into letting the home hero back into the race where he went on to win by 52 seconds. Ferrari eventually appealed this result and two months later Hunt was stripped of the win. 

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Niki Lauda was pulled from his burning Ferrari and left with third degree burns at the Nürburgring in round 10. Considered the one of most challenging circuits in the world and nicknamed “The Green Hell” by Sir Jackie Stewart. The current championship leader attempted to organise a boycott of the race when weather conditions deteriorated, as he was unhappy with its safety but was unsuccessful. During the race start both Hunt (on pole) and Lauda fell behind Regazzoni in the 2nd Ferrari. On the lap 2 of the race, in a bid to make up lost time, Lauda span out of control.

Due to the size of the track it took the helicopter 5-6 minutes to reach Lauda before he was rush to hospital, were he spent the next few days fighting for his life.

Back at the track Hunt led from the restart to the Win. Gaining crucial points for his championship campaign. That Sunday saw 11 Retirements including 6 accidents.

Following the incident Lauda returned to the championship six weeks later, after only missing two races. During his absents Hunt picked up fourth place in Austria and another win at Zandvoort, he now sat two points behind the Austrian. Ferrari had fully with-drawn from Austria still shook from the crash.

An intense final leg of the championship drew closer as Hunt retired from Monza, collected two more wins in Canada and USA, and one final podium in Japan.

Lauda mean while had an incredible return placing fourth, handling issues dropped him back to 8th in Canada, 3rd at Watkins Glen (USA) and due to poor weather conditions and health concerns Lauda with-drew from Japan in the 2nd lap.

​The 1976 championship was taken by James Hunt in Japan, a he over took Niki Lauda in the standings by 1 point.

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The following year Lauda went on to win his second world championship, with Ferrari. While Hunt settled with fifth. 

“When I saw it the first time I was impressed. There was no Hollywood changes or things changed a little bit Hollywood-like. It is very accurate and this really surprised me very positivley.” Niki Lauda  (Carjam interview, 2013)

Although James Hunt never punched a reporter he was defiantly a playboy who said "Big balls" gave him an advantage, got outrageously drunk, smoked in the pit lane and once urinated in public. Described by Lauda as a "Woodstock-type of crazy man" who "raced perfectly".
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Bronwen Jones
​Writer @ F1 Journal