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RUSH got it wrong | The true James Hunt story
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- Published on Apr 18, 2026
- James Hunt truly was a one-of-a-kind racing driver. The 1976 World Champion wasn't afraid of a bit of controversy, both on and off track. He's quite often referred to as F1's last rockstar. The combination of his character and pure driving ability has cemented his legend status among motorsport fans. He had one of the great rivalries of F1 against his friend, Niki Lauda, and as we see in this documentary, the film 'RUSH' wasn't as accurate as you'd think.
At this year's 83rd Goodwood Members' Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport, we will be celebrating 'The James Hunt Years' with an incredible lineup of '70s Formula 1 machinery.
Before that exciting weekend on April 18-19, we sat down with the people that knew him best. With the beautiful Tyrrell Shed as a backdrop, we spoke to his son, Freddie Hunt, former McLaren Team Manager, Alastair Caldwell, and motorsport journalist and friend, Rob Widdows about the great man.
We hope you can join us in April to celebrate his life, but for now, please enjoy our documentary on the enigmatic James Hunt.
#Goodwood #JamesHunt #F1 #McLaren #Hesketh #classicF1
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I met James Hunt in the pit lane at the 1986 Mexican Grand Prix. He was barefoot, sitting down smoking a cigarette while talking with Murray Walker. He was very down to earth and easy to talk to and when I asked him for his autograph, he willingly obliged. He was by far the nicest and most friendly F1 driver I ever met.
Sat next to the nicest man in the world - Mr Walker.
@GoodwoodRR mr walkers voice was the voice of my childhood , man was one of a kind
@GoodwoodRRomg, grew up with that voice.
@GoodwoodRR i met Murray Walker a few times at BSB meetings usually thruxton, such a gent.
now Murray and James are in heaven reminiscing about old times. 😮💨
Hunt's legacy is he was the last F1 driver to win a Grand Prix at the old Nurburgring
@ademyers2741 Thanks for that information 👏
that's not his "legacy" tho is it. its just a cool stat. no one remembers hunt for that statistic mate so its not at all a legacy. It is a cool stat tho thanks for the information.
That was an amazing feat but totally overshadowed by Lauda's crash unfortunately. Though Mass had it in the bag had Lauda not crashed.
As with all things "Goodwood", this documentary is exemplary work. As a former television producer/director I commend the good work of all involved.
Crazy how much Freddie looks like his dad!
and even sounds like him
yeah that's wild
I am also pleased to report that he's the spitting image of one of my nephews too. :o)
James was much better looking?
I could listen to Alastair Caldwell talk about Formula 1 all night.
Same here, I never knew his first job, for a day, was as a cleaner at McLaren.
@nigeh5326it probably wasn’t…
@philandrews5686 what makes you say that?
Love hearing about James (and Niki) from the people that knew him best. Bravo Goodwood for putting this together. Made my evening.
Thank you Mr Honey Badger. Glad you enjoyed.
@GoodwoodRR Hunt is one of the few boomers that the younger generations can actually like & respect ... funny that
@IggyGoesPop666 A "Mad Lad" as the English would say. It resonates with young men, it's a masculine trait that any man (regardless of age and social standing etc) can admire and appreciate in a fellow man.
I cried watching this and then thinking about today's F1. I got to see the 77-78 and 81 Long Beach Grand Prix. What the hell happened? Electric hybrid F1 cars??? I have abandoned a sport I admired for the screaming engines and mentally unbalanced drivers that threw these cars into corners risking life and limb. Those days are gone forever.
Formula 1 has been emasculated and feminized to the point where it's an over dramatised pantomime.
Sure it’s a shame, couldn’t agree more, but this period is some 50 years ago. Technology, safety, culture has all changed drastically, it’s just the way it is. We all can’t stop progress, whether that progress is good or bad🤷🏼♂️ If we like it or not, hybrid/electric is unfortunately the future.
Sadly I went off F1 years ago.
Dull as dishwater. When I heard an over excited commentary stating the DRS zone is coming, that was it. Regardless of how the teams are close of each other and all that modern stat Guff..
@fioralbannach6647 sadly, I must agree.
Modern F1 is a joke. And the commentators are nothing like Murray and Hunt!
The movie is a movie and told a sort of “accurate story”. But the best line that undercut the animosity between Nikki and James is at the end where Nikki narrating says he missed his friend James.
@rtyler1869 that's my favorite scene also, the end by the planes, along with the reporter scene (which i know didnt happen)
James hunt, Barry sheen PURE LENGENDS REST IN PEACE TIMES NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN ❤❤❤
100% agreed I was just getting interested in 2 and 4 wheels when James and Barry were at their peak and both were huge heroes to most British boys then.
Funnily enough though I ended up being more of a ‘King’ Kenny Roberts fan than a Barry Sheene fan, even though I am 100% English.
It was Kenny’s riding style and cool, calm professionalism that I think I admired, over Barry’s showmanship and flair.
No doubt Barry was a national icon, with great talent, a worthy double World Champion and someone who massively increased the public’s awareness, and interest in motorcycle racing.
Sadly Barry like James was taken far too early from the world 😔
I think Valentino Rossi is more important. Both as a rider, inspiration and for the sport itself. The fact that he is Italian means Goodwood won't focus on him in the same red trousers perspective this is. 😊
Both heavy smokers
Ditto. Got into cars and motor racing because of watching James Hunt. Got into bikes because of Barry Sheen. Now turning 50, finally learning to ride a motorbike..trying to get my helmet re-painted in the same colours/style as Sheene's....Got a little Suzuki 125, but gives me the same thrill as my first car. Wish I'd learnt to ride way way sooner. I wonder if they, even in later life, realised how much impact they had on people.
This was long long LONG overdue. Well done to you guys for putting this together!
He was a man that lived life on his own terms.
I wish drivers like this existed today
@floobadoo the big corporations wouldn't allow it.
@AndyQuintonthe irony is they'd probably get more coverage and exposure from someone like Hunt.
Kimi Raikkonen.
It's impossible, because it's all about marketing.
The thing with drivers is, and human beings in general: they are all unique...
I hadn’t realised Emerson gave James the tip about McLaren. And the Clay story 😮 Shows how much the drivers liked him.
James Hunt was one of the most significant drivers in Formula 1 over its 75 years. To be brief, he and Niki Lauda were the subject of one of the most iconic films in Formula 1, the legendary Rush. I followed his career since I was 10 years old, starting with Hesketh, even though I am Brazilian and had Emerson Fittipaldi as one of our excellent Brazilian drivers, followed by Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna. But F1 in the 70s was very different from F1 in the 80s and astronomically different from today's simulators in 2026. Forget it. In those years, drivers died every year, one per year, statistically. Comparing those eras would be absurd.But let's get back to James Hunt. He knew how to be very fast and beat Niki on several circuits. I consider it unfair and a lack of information to attribute his championship to Lauda's accident in Germany. By the way, Lauda is dear to me. He knows this, wherever he is. Hunt was brave in Spain, France, and England, and I’ll stop here. James Hunt was one of the greatest F1 drivers that ever existed. And even from Brazil, with so many incredible drivers like Piquet, Emerson, and Senna, I am a Brazilian fan of Hunt, and I know what I'm saying because I lived through all of this. I send a kiss to the entire Hunt family from here in Brazil. My idol, James Hunt
Excellent post. I fully agree with you. People forget, or don't realise, than both James and Niki finished exactly the same number of races that season. 11 each. Yes, Niki missed some races due to the crash but James missed some races due to the inconsistent and unreliable McClaren early on in the season, and he had to forfeit two races. Brands Hatch and Monza. The two Ferraris caused the Brands Hatch crash in the first place, while at Monza the Italians forced him to start at the back of the grid due to a false allegation about illegal fuel which was never proven to be true.
James was never in the best car at any time in his career. If he was in that Ferrari 312T (the overall best and most consistent F1 car 1975-1980) he would have won more titles for sure.
@lyndoncmp5751agree with everything you said HOWEVER the pace of that McLaren jumps off the screen in a way you only notice after watching years of film. it was the faster car that year.
What a lovely comment. Well said sir!
@DryMonster100
The McClaren was very unreliable for the first part of the season. That's why James fell so far behind. It then greatly improved as the season went on but it was never better than the Ferrari overall. It was James who pushed it faster. Look what he did in the Hesketh the year before. Came ahead of Regazzoni in the championship when Regazzoni was in the Ferrari. 😲
His legacy is there's never been a more fitting man to sing
"I did it my way"
Loved hearing the stories from Caldwell and Widdows. Thanks for sharing
It's not how long you live, it's how one lives while one is alive. G.
I still remember being overtaken by him,in a Camaro,at night,at Snetterton. He was in process of winning the Avon Tour of Britain in 1973.
Cool. A 1973 model Camaro , I suppose ?
Much better than the movie!
i had the pleasure of meeting James and Murray during a photoshoot for an agency i worked for not long before he passed away. 2 amazing gentlemen.
I think he would be immensely proud of his boy, quite right too and of course great credit to his mum
This is brilliant!
Thankyou Goodwood !!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is *PURE GOLD.* I vividly recall as a 5-6 year old boy following the 76 season, I watched most of the races and James was a hero to me and most of my peers in infant school. James won the title on my 6th birthday- 24th October. Nikki was also hugely popular because of his immense courage in resuming racing so soon after his terrible accident. I remember boys talking about it in the school yard- we admired his guts and determination. James Hunt, Nikki Lauda and of course- Barry Sheen were all hugely admired by most boys back then- *PROPER BLOKES* with tungsten balls! They are all greatly missed today. One of the anecdotes I think sums up James so well concerns a dinner being held for sponsors. James initially refused to attend, but was ordered to do so by the team, he reluctantly gave way and turned up in the requisite black tie dinner suit...........and a pair of training shoes! It was his way of putting two fingers up to the establishment. Marvellous! :)
Do you have “tungsten balls”? If not, why not if James was such a hero to you?
Brilliant film, thanks so much to everyone involved in putting this together. I'm so happy that James's memory lives on so strong among his fans, and what a joy to hear from those who knew and loved him. A complex man, but he was my absolute hero when I was a boy, went on to be by far my favourite voice to listen to, and his was the one death of someone I never met that deeply upset me. He was a complete,, one of a kind, total legend. And long may his legend live on.
I enjoyed this film enormously. I never knew James personally but I have raced against Freddie and can say that he's a lovely guy. Jochen drove one of my cars and it's so sad he has gone - what a lovely guy, and who else could have been so relaxed and comfortable about racing that they would fall asleep on the grid at Goodwood? And as for Alistair Caldwell, I used to work with him a VERY long time ago. A great guy who saw more than his share of tragedy in his motorsport career. The film shows a glimmer of his sense of humour and what fun it was in those days - none of the political correctness we see now - a lot of schoolboy humour. God, how I miss it!
I was 16 in 1976, the year I got limited control of the family TV. That was the year I became a fan of Formula 1. What a season to start watching Formula 1.
I like your comment about "limited control of the family TV". I remember when I was 5 years old and the original Lost in Space had just come onto our screens. I was always ordered to go to bed halfway through each episode!!
This is the reason i am not a fan of films that supposedly tell a story of a sport we love, but simply glamorize it adding story lines that were not true. I knew James and Niki were good friends and rivalries, which is what made F1 in those days so exciting, even though so much more dangerous than today. I, like many were saddened at the news of James passing, and Niki's, and look back on what wonderful character's and great champion's they both were. Thank you Goodwood for showing us the true version of events. Loved watching.
James Hunt is an absolute legend for beating Ferrari 🇬🇧
The cheating shennanigans of Ferrari.
What a cracking interview all round. Loved every minute of that.
Thank you to all who worked on bringing us this documentary and thank you to all of those interviewed for their memories of James a British F1 World Champion and a decent fun human being.
Would love to see a new documentary from Goodwood about Barry Sheene James Hunt’s 2 wheel equivalent and twice World Champion in 76 and 77 with Suzuki.
Interviews with Stephanie Sheene, Barry’s widow, Kenny Roberts and Steve ‘Stavros’ Parrish would no doubt be very interesting.
🤞 it could happen?
🇬🇧❤️✌️
He was my hero and will always be my hero , his the only person (hero) from my childhoodi cryed when i heard he passed away , this documentary brought a tear to my eye once again , amazing to see him being honoured at the legandry track goodwood , wonderful tribute , johnnie oddball
This was really well done and compelling. Stories being told like this by those who were there are worth so much more than a Hollywood interpretation of the story. I am glad this popped up on my feed.
Really enjoyed this from across the Atlantic
Love the the mechanics stories, different times for sure
The first F1 Restoration job I did was a Hesketh, I had no idea who or what that team was all about but quickly learned what a story that team had in Formula One Racing! BTW the restoration turned out to be a very nice job.
back when F1 was more flawed and definitely more interesting. these guys were the real deal. the ultimate price lay around every corner.
Amazing documentary. All the research brought together one of the best ever, as close to real as it gets. Many thanks Keith
Thank you goodwood
What a wonderful little film for a great man.
brilliant - we all loved James so much, for his success and failures
What an excellent documentary and totally dispels dozens of urban myths about both Hunt and Lauda. I was only 10 in 1976 and have limited memories around all the hype as Hunt and Barry Sheene ruled the world.
Nicki Lauder saying to James Hunt's son, I loved your dad. I'm balling my eyes out. What a beautiful and gentle thing.
Same for me.
I think there's a recent interview between Niki and Freddie where Freddie turns up a few moments late and apologises and Niki says 'just like Dad' hahahahaha You can tell at that moment, Niki must feel like he's seeing James for a second. Glad to have lived through the 1970s and 1980s period of racing.
Freddie has so many of his dads mannerisms. You can really see and hear it in his voice. James Hunt was a legend to me. It’s such a shame we don’t have more people like him. A great athlete and personality. We lost him way to soon.
What an excellent presentation. thank You.
This was a fantastic doc . Better than the movie
40:53 Deadpan "He wore both left side tyres down to the AIR!"
Brilliant turn of phrase!
Well done Goodwood !
It has an amazing quality, thanks for sharing.
haha, old geezer such a legend
superb program. James's son is just as well spoken as the father
Spectacular video!
James was a fantastic character, and an amazing driver
In the same way Oliver Reed was an actor and character
They did not allow others to define them, they were free spirits who lived exactly as they wished
Some stars never shine for long, but they blaze whilst they are here 🙏🏻
Was a sad day to hear of James passing
Free spirit is the perfect description
James’ British 2 wheeled double World Champion Barry Sheene was a similar free spirit who believed in his own talent, that life was for living to the max.
Both were national heroes loved by the British public.
Both were sadly taken too early from the world and both are still missed by many.
🇬🇧❤️✌️
@nigeh5326 ...and what a shame we don't have such 'characters' nowadays?...the only exception to this I can think of is Ronnie O'Sullivan, everyone else seems to be so PC!
It’s always sad when people get upset thinking movies are documentaries.
@Mark_Beauregard Not sad but disgusting, showing half truths about something to the whole world is just wrong form the get go and the only benefit is to print money with it. Playing on the emotions through the Hollywood is the biggest money printing machine known to mankind while achieving agendas at the same time.
Thanks for this great video 🙌
Thanks for watching! 🙌
Amazing piece! Thank you.
In my humble opinion, mr. Hunt was the best F1- commentator…..by a mile 😌. His ability to bring across to the interested viewer the subtle points of importance involved in a Grand Prix. Strategy, race-craft, the driver’s mind…..if I closed my eyes so to speak, I’d know exactly what was going on.
@Erik-ph In my humble opinion you've never been more right about anything in your life. James kept Murray relevant for years past his sell by date. A great accidental double act. Loved his honesty.
Hunt is a legend but Kimi Raikkonen was F1's last rock star.
What a doppelganger. You are a spit of your father. Great piece about a popular enigma, two words that rarely meet. He was brilliant with Murray too. What a life well lived and totally deserved world champion ❤
It was great to have FREDDIE with us in 2022. It was a great discovery of Gilles and James story. Go watch
Brilliant, thank you.
Freddie your Dad was the real deal, my first F1 race was Zandvoort by bus from the UK, which he won.... amazing times!
Thank you... Great Documentary
A documentary like no other
Fantastic documentary, well done and just the right time length. I never realized how much James' son looks like him though. It's amazing.
And sounds like him!
Total respect to JH and his contemporaries. What an era they lived through! Loved watching JH and Nicki L and others - later, Ayron & Alain, Ayrton & Nigel, etc…. With the soundtrack of Murray and James. SO much better to my mind than the current F1 offering ….
Really great documentary GWR&R - thank you.
Niki knew James more than his son and he thought Rush portrayed James’ personality accurately .
Thanks a lot for the video! This will come in very handy! 🏁
Lord March, Freddie Hunt & Goodwood members, respectful, heart-warming, well done..!
It was a great shock when he died. A great character and commentator and a worthy World Champion. I hope Goodwood does him proud.
What a wonderful production. Marvelous stuff.
Wonderful documentary thank you Goodwood.
Thank you Goodwood team! Regards from Portugal.
Excellent piece. Thanks for setting the record straighter.
Thank you for this great documentary and telling the real story !!!! Cheers !!!!!
This is a wonderful review. How proud and delighted I am of Freddie. It was very hard growing up speaking English after World War 2. The Beatles reveaed the music perfectly and James likewise reflected the energy after our fathers had captured the finest hour. My delight in this is that Freddie has synthesised the two. How proud James would be.
Love this. That was a different time when people could express themselves and the sport was better for it. It’s all so corporate and grey now. Lovely to hear Lauda’s comment to Tom.
Great documentary had me locked in
beautiful
Freddie's astoundingly visibly and audibly alike his father. We should all hang out with him at the pub.
I first became aware of James Hunt while I was at a burn clinic in the US at the exact time Niki Lauda was in his. I eagerly kept track of Lauda's progress and became aware of his rivalry with Hunt.
I became interested in F1 motor racing in the early 1970s , being an admirer of Jackie Stewart , but my interest heightened in the 1976 , which was pure theatre. Having read James book , Against All Odds , I knew James was close friends with Nikki , far more so than depicted in the film , Rush , which I loved enormously. However, I knew they were fierce rivals once on track , Nikki being noted as the more natural driver , but James was as fast as anyone on his day, Nikki himself thought James as his closest rival when interviewed prior to the 1978 season, having won the championship again in 1977. One of the things from the film Rush, it didn’t highlight there was so much in common between the drivers, both from professional backgrounds , with parents who both saw different futures for their sons and were completely against them entering motor racing as a career. It was only briefly mentioned at the end of the film when Nikki spoke to James stood beside his plane. Even so ,artistic license and so on , loved the film. Got to confess , I shed a tear in 1993 at the news of his passing , RIP both James and Nikki .
We didn’t realise how good hunt and Walker were at the time. They brought f1 to the masses and soooo exciting. Never been the same since them…….
Brilliant interviews here thanks 👍
This is great. Really well done and interesting.
Still, after all these years, one of the few racers I view as my hero. We miss you James.
He was as game as they come. Let me supply some perspective on the skill it took to drive in that era versus now. This is Frank Dernie, and as you read this bear in mind Hunt drove DFVs at both Hesketh and McLaren: "The driver is a less important ingredient in victory now because some elements of the car are so much easier now. A DFV needed really skillful throttle control, because most of the power hit you on the first five percent of pedal travel, and the next 95 percent did little more. A modern F1 car matches torque to throttle, so five percent more throttle gives you five percent more torque. It takes very complex programming, but it makes the throttle as perfect as you could wish. And the gearbox: with the dog-engaged H-pattern change it took real skill never to make a mistake, never to miss a gear, never to over-rev. On today's cars my mum could change gear as well as Fernando Alonso, because it's just a switch."
My first grand prix was The Glen in 74, actually have photos of the Hesketh in the Kendall Center. A special time for F1..
Me too. The only F1 race I've been to.
This was a great documentary. More of this would be greatly appreciated 👌
Hunt the Shunt must read ! Love James a legend
I really enjoyed this video, thanks very much.
Rush might have gotten it wrong....but it's still a great movie.
I have watched RUSH 6 times, always great!
Exciting on the track and off.Loved his commentary,no filter always from the heart.Sad loss too young.
great video thanks
Beautiful ❤ just beautiful ❤ thanks for sharing this
Like Niki Lauda said when he was interviewed during the making of Rush. The hardest part about playing a character is them still being alive
An absolute LEGEND
I was going to flick through this but it caught and held my attention, and I was riveted the whole time. Fascinating people, great to hear them speak. Freddie sounds so much like James too, it was almost like James was there again.
Loved this. Thank you everyone involved!