View source for James Hunt

{{short description|British racing driver (1947–1993)}}
{{About other people|the British racing driver}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = James Hunt
| image         = J. Hunt in 1977 (cropped).jpg
| caption       = Hunt at the [[1977 Swedish Grand Prix]]
| birth_name    = James Simon Wallis Hunt
| birth_date    = {{birth date|df=y|1947|08|29}}
| birth_place   = [[Belmont, Sutton|Belmont]], Surrey, England
| death_date    = {{death date and age|df=y|1993|06|15|1947|08|29}}
| death_place   = [[Wimbledon, London]], England
| spouse        = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Suzy Miller]]|1974|1976|end=div}}
* {{marriage|Sarah Lomax|1983|1989|end=div}}
}}
| children      = 2
| relatives     = [[David Hunt (racing driver)|David Hunt]] (brother)
| module        = {{Infobox F1 driver|embed=yes
| nationality   = {{flagicon|GBR}} [[Formula One drivers from the United Kingdom|British]] 
| Years         = {{F1|1973}}–{{F1|1979}}
| Team(s)       = [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]], [[McLaren]], [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]]
| Races         = 93 (92 starts)
| Championships = 1 ({{F1|1976}})
| Wins          = 10
| Podiums       = 23
| Poles         = 14
| Fastest laps  = 8
| Points        = 179
| First race    = [[1973 Monaco Grand Prix]]
| First win     = [[1975 Dutch Grand Prix]]
| Last win      = [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix]]
| Last race     = [[1979 Monaco Grand Prix]]
}}
}}

'''James Simon Wallis Hunt''' (29 August 1947 – 15 June 1993) was a British [[racing driver]] and [[sports broadcasting|broadcaster]] who competed in [[Formula One]] from {{F1|1973}} to {{F1|1979}}. Nicknamed "'''the Shunt'''",{{efn|In British [[Glossary of motorsport terms|motorsport terminology]], ''shunt'' means a collision.}} Hunt won the [[Formula One World Drivers' Championship]] in {{F1|1976}} with [[McLaren]], and won 10 [[Formula One Grands Prix|Grands Prix]] across seven seasons.

Born and raised in [[Surrey]], Hunt began his racing career in [[touring car racing|touring car]]s before progressing to [[Formula Three]] in 1969, where he attracted the attention of [[Alexander Fermor-Hesketh, 3rd Baron Hesketh|Lord Hesketh]], founder of [[Hesketh Racing]]. Hunt earned notoriety throughout his early career for his reckless and action-packed exploits on track, amongst his [[playboy lifestyle]] off it. He signed for Hesketh in {{F1|1973}}—driving a [[March 731]] chassis designed by [[Harvey Postlethwaite]]—making his Formula One debut at the {{F1GP|1973|Monaco}}; he took podiums in his rookie season at the [[1973 Dutch Grand Prix|Dutch]] and [[1973 United States Grand Prix|United States]] Grands Prix. Hesketh entered their own [[Hesketh 308|308]] chassis in {{F1|1974}}, in which Hunt achieved several further podiums and won the [[Glossary of motorsport terms#N|non-championship]] [[1974 BRDC International Trophy|BRDC International Trophy]].

Retaining his seat the [[1975 Formula One season|following season]], Hunt took his maiden victory with Hesketh at the {{F1GP|1975|Dutch}}, widely regarded as one of the greatest [[underdog]] victories in Formula One history. The team was left without [[Formula One sponsorship liveries|sponsorship]] at the end of the season, leading Hunt to join [[McLaren]] for his {{F1|1976}} campaign. Amidst a [[Hunt–Lauda rivalry|fierce title battle]] with [[Niki Lauda]], Hunt won the World Drivers' Championship by a single point in his debut season with McLaren. He won several further races in {{F1|1977}}, dropping to fifth in the standings amidst reliability issues. After a winless {{F1|1978}} season for McLaren, Hunt moved to [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]] in {{F1|1979}} and retired after the {{F1GP|1979|Monaco}}, having achieved 10 race wins, 14 pole positions, eight fastest laps, and 23 podiums in Formula One.

Upon retiring from motor racing, Hunt established a career as a [[Sports commentator|commentator]] and [[pundit]] for the [[BBC]], as well as a [[Sports journalism|columnist]] for ''[[The Independent]]''. Through [[Marlboro]], he also mentored two-time World Drivers' Champion [[Mika Häkkinen]]. He died from a heart attack at his home in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], aged 45.

==Early life==
Hunt was born in [[Belmont, Sutton|Belmont]], [[Surrey]], the second child of Wallis Glynn Gunthorpe Hunt (1922–2001), a stockbroker and businessman, and Susan Noel Wentworth ({{née|Davis}}) Hunt.<ref>{{cite ODNB |last1=Thoms |first1=David |chapter=Hunt, James Simon Wallis (1947–1993), racing driver and commentator |title=[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]] |date=23 September 2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/52127}}</ref><ref name=autocourse>{{cite web|url=http://www.autocoursegpa.com/driver~driver_id~11822.htm |title=Driver: Hunt, James. |access-date=14 October 2007 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104012818/http://www.autocoursegpa.com/driver~driver_id~11822.htm |archive-date= 4 November 2007 }} ''Autocourse Grand Prix Archive'', 14 October 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2007.</ref> He had an elder sister, Sally, three younger brothers, Peter, Timothy and [[David Hunt (racing driver)|David]], and one younger sister, Georgina.<ref>Young and Hunt 1978, p. 9.</ref> Wallis Hunt was descended on his mother's side from the industrialist and politician [[Sir William Jackson, 1st Baronet]].<ref>Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, ed. Arthur G. M. Hesilrige, Kelly's Directories, 1931, p. 426</ref> Hunt's family lived in a flat in [[Cheam, Surrey]], moved to [[London Borough of Sutton|Sutton]] when he was 11 and then to a larger home in Belmont.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 11–12.</ref> He attended Westerleigh Preparatory School, [[St Leonards-on-Sea]] Sussex<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/360-pupils-to-find-new-places-as-private-school-closes-1-1456690 |title=360 pupils to find new places as private school closes |work=Hastings & St Leonards Observer |date=29 April 2004 |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027185628/https://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/360-pupils-to-find-new-places-as-private-school-closes-1-1456690 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and later [[Wellington College, Berkshire|Wellington College]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=McLaren Racing - The man, the myth, the legend|url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/heritage/driver/james-hunt/13-things-you-never-knew-about-james-hunt/|website=www.mclaren.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref>

Hunt's mother Sue said that feelings were not shared within the family.<ref>p16, Donaldson, 1994</ref>

Hunt first learned to drive on a tractor at a farm in [[Pembrokeshire]], Wales, while on a family holiday, with instruction from the farm's owner, but he found changing gears frustrating because he lacked the required strength.<ref name=earlylife>Donaldson 1994, pp. 16–19.</ref> Hunt passed his driving test one week after his seventeenth birthday, at which point he said his life "really began".<ref name=hunt>Donaldson 1994, pp. 24–30.</ref> He also took up skiing in 1965 in Scotland, and made plans for further ski trips. Before his eighteenth birthday, he went to the home of Chris Ridge, his tennis doubles partner. Ridge's brother Simon, who raced [[Mini]]s, was preparing his car for a race at Silverstone that weekend. The Ridges took Hunt to see the race, which began his obsession with motor racing.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 29–31.</ref>

==Early career==
===Mini racing===
Hunt's racing career started off in a racing [[Mini]]. He first entered a race at the [[Snetterton Circuit]] in Norfolk, but race scrutineers prevented him from competing, deeming the Mini to have many irregularities, which left Hunt and his team mate, Justin Fry, upset. Hunt later brought the necessary funding from working as a trainee manager of a telephone company (Telephone Rentals Ltd) to enter three events. At this point Fry made the decision to part company with the team, owing to the irregularities and modifications that were happening to the cars they were using.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 41–43.</ref>

===Formula Ford===
Hunt graduated to [[Formula Ford]] in 1968. He drove a Russell-Alexis Mark 14 car bought through a [[hire-purchase]] scheme. In his first race at Snetterton, Hunt had lost 15&nbsp;hp from an incorrect engine ignition setting, but managed to finish fifth. He took his first win at [[Lydden Race Circuit|Lydden Hill]] and also set the lap record on the [[Brands Hatch]] short circuit.<ref name=f3>Donaldson 1994 pp. 43–45.</ref>

===Formula Three===
[[File:1969 F3 Guards Trophy Brands Hatch James Hunt Brabham BT21.jpg|thumb|left| Hunt driving a [[Brabham]] BT21 in the Guards Trophy [[Formula Three|F3]] race at [[Brands Hatch]], 1969]]
In [[1969 British Formula Three season|1969]], Hunt raced in [[Formula Three]] with a budget, provided by Gowrings of Reading, which bought a [[Colchester Racing Developments|Merlyn Mark 11A]]. Gowrings intended to run the car in the final two races of 1968.<ref name=f3 /> Hunt won several races and achieved regular high-placed finishes, which led to the British Guild of Motoring Writers awarding him a [[Grovewood Award]] as one of the three drivers judged to have promising careers.<ref>Donalson 1994, p. 54.</ref>

Hunt was involved in a controversial incident with [[Dave Morgan (racing driver)|Dave Morgan]] during a battle for second position in the [[1970 British Formula Three season|Formula Three]] Daily Express Trophy race at [[Crystal Palace (circuit)|Crystal Palace]] on 3 October 1970. Having banged wheels earlier in a very closely fought race, Morgan attempted to pass Hunt on the outside of South Tower Corner on the final lap, but instead the cars collided and crashed out of the race. Hunt's car came to rest in the middle of the track, minus two wheels. He got out, ran over to Morgan and furiously pushed him to the ground,<ref>Goddard, Jeff (Producer), Walker, Murray (Commentator). "Daily Express Trophy Final, October 1970." ''100 Great Sporting Moments ([[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]-[[BBC Two]]'', Airdate 1993.</ref> which earned him severe official disapproval. Both men were summoned by the [[Royal Automobile Club|RAC]] and after hearing evidence from other drivers, Hunt was cleared by a tribunal and Morgan was given a 12-month suspension of his racing licence, but was subsequently allowed to progress to [[Formula Atlantic]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who |author=Steve Small |page=260 |isbn=0851127029}}</ref> Hunt later met with [[John Hogan (motorsport executive)|John Hogan]] and racing driver [[Gerry Birrell]] to obtain sponsorship from [[Coca-Cola]].<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 61–62.</ref>

Hunt's career continued in the works [[March Engineering|March]] team for 1972. His first race at [[Mallory Park]] saw him finish third, but he was told by race officials he had been excluded from the results, as his engine was deemed to be outside the regulations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://primotipo.com/tag/1972-formula-3-season/ |title=1972 Formula 3 Season |website=primotipo.com |access-date=7 February 2018}}</ref> The car, however, passed tests at the next two races at Brands Hatch. In these races, Hunt finished fourth and fifth respectively. He collided with two cars at [[Oulton Park]] but finished third at Mallory Park after a long duel with [[Roger Williamson]]. The cars did not appear at [[Zandvoort]], but Hunt still attended the race as a spectator.<ref name=march>Donaldson 1994, pp. 75–76.</ref>

In May 1972, it was announced by the team that he had been dropped from the STP-March Formula 3 team and replaced by [[Jochen Mass]]. When Hunt attempted to contact March, he was unable to get any response from his employers. Hunt decided to consult Chris Marshall, his former team manager, who explained that a spare car was available.<ref name=march /> This followed a period characterised by a series of mechanical failures. Hunt decided, against the express instructions of March director [[Max Mosley]], to race at [[Monaco Grand Prix Formula Three support race|Monaco]] in a March from a different team. This had been vacated by driver [[Jean-Claude Alzerat]], after Hunt's own March had first broken down and then been hit by another competitor in a practice lap.<ref name=Motor197206>Skilleter, Paul (Charles Bulmer, ed.). "Sporting side: Hunt out – Mass in." ''Motor'', 3 June 1972, pp. 46–47.</ref>

==Formula One career==
===1973–1975: Hesketh===
;1973
Hesketh purchased a March 731 chassis, and it was developed by [[Harvey Postlethwaite]]. The team was initially not taken seriously by rivals, who saw the Hesketh team as party goers enjoying the glamour of Formula One.{{#tag:ref|Subsequently, Hunt's driving suit featured a specially made patch which initially was a round patch stating: "Sex: Breakfast of Champions" and later changed to an oval patch that read: "Sex is a high performance thing".<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 142.</ref>{{r|wills20241004}}|group=Note}} However, the Hesketh March proved much more competitive than the works March cars, and their best result was second place at the [[1973 United States Grand Prix]]. Hunt also made a brief venture into [[sports car racing]] at the 1973 Kyalami Nine Hours, driving a [[Mirage M6]] along with [[Derek Bell (racing driver)|Derek Bell]], finishing second.<ref>McDonough 2012, pp. 78–79.</ref>

After the season's end, Hunt was awarded with the Campbell Trophy from the RAC marking his performance in Formula One as the best by a British driver.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 114.</ref>
;1974
For the {{F1|1974}} season, [[Hesketh Racing]] built a car, inspired by the March, called the [[Hesketh 308]], but an accompanying V12 engine never materialised. Hunt's first test of the car came at Silverstone and found it more stable than its predecessor, the March 731. Hunt was retained on a £15,000 salary.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 117.</ref> The Hesketh team captured the public imagination as a car without sponsors' markings, a teddy-bear badge and a devil-may-care team ethos, which belied the fact that their engineers were highly competent professionals. In [[1974 Argentine Grand Prix|Argentina]], Hunt qualified fifth and led briefly before being overtaken by [[Ronnie Peterson]] before Hunt spun off the track and eventually retired due to engine failure.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 118.</ref> In [[1974 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]], Hunt retired from fifth place with a broken driveshaft.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 122.</ref> Hunt's season highlight was a victory at the [[BRDC International Trophy]] non-championship race at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]], against the majority of the regular F1 field.
;1975
[[File:James Hunt with Hesketh.jpg|thumb|Hunt in the Hesketh at the [[1975 British Grand Prix]]]]
Hunt finished sixth in [[1975 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]] and retired with an engine failure in [[1975 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]]. In [[1975 Spanish Grand Prix|Spain]], Hunt led the first six laps before colliding with a barrier with the same cause of retirement in [[1975 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]]. He had a further two retirements in [[1975 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]] and [[1975 Swedish Grand Prix|Sweden]], both of which were due to mechanical failures.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 135–136.</ref> Hunt's first win came in the [[1975 Dutch Grand Prix]] at [[Circuit Park Zandvoort|Zandvoort]]. He finished fourth in the Championship that year, but Lord Hesketh had run out of funds and could not find a sponsor for his team. With little time left before the {{F1|1976}} season, Hunt was desperately looking for a drive until [[Emerson Fittipaldi]] left [[Team McLaren|McLaren]] and joined his brother's [[Fittipaldi Automotive|Copersucar-Fittipaldi]] outfit. With no other top drivers available, the team management signed Hunt to McLaren – in a deal brokered by Marlboro's [[John Hogan (motorsport executive)|John Hogan]] – for the next season on a contract involving a $50,000 retainer and a good share of the prize money.<ref>{{cite book |title=Formula One: The Rivals: F1's Greatest Duels |first1=Tony |last1=Dodgins |first2=Mark |last2=Webber |page=82}}</ref>

===1976–1978: McLaren===
[[File:James Hunt British GP 1976.jpg|thumb|Hunt celebrates at the [[1976 British Grand Prix]]; he would later be disqualified from the results.]]
;1976
The season proved to be one of the most dramatic and controversial on record. While Hunt's performances in the Hesketh had drawn considerable praise, there was some speculation as to whether he could really sustain a championship challenge. Now a works McLaren driver, he dispelled many doubters at the first race in Brazil, where, in a hastily rebuilt [[McLaren M23]], he landed pole position in the last minutes of qualifying. Over the course of the year he would drive the McLaren M23 to six [[list of Formula One Grands Prix|Grands Prix]] wins, but with superior reliability reigning world champion and main rival [[Niki Lauda]] had pulled out a substantial points lead in the first few races of the season. Hunt's first race win of 1976, at the fourth race of the season, the [[1976 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish Grand Prix]], resulted in disqualification for driving a car adjudged to be 1.8&nbsp;cm too wide. The win was later reinstated upon appeal, but it set the tone for an extraordinarily volatile season. At the [[1976 British Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]], Hunt was involved in a first corner incident on the first lap with Lauda which led to the race being stopped and restarted. Hunt initially attempted to take a spare car, however this was disallowed, and during this time the original race car was repaired, eventually winning the restarted race.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C5RAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B6UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5727,3768590&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "Hunt wins third grand prix in the confusion."] ''The Glasgow Herald'', 19 July 1976, p. 14.</ref> Hunt's victory was disallowed on 24 September by a ruling from the FIA after Ferrari complained that Hunt was not legally allowed to restart the race.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Vn1YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hEMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3413,831403&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "James Hunt set for war".] ''The News-Dispatch'', 9 October 1976, p. 8.</ref>

Lauda sustained near-fatal injuries in an accident at the following round, the [[1976 German Grand Prix|German Grand Prix]] at the [[Nürburgring]]. Hunt dominated the restarted Nürburgring race, building an immediate lead and remaining unchallenged to the chequered flag.

Lauda's injuries kept him out of the following two races, allowing Hunt to close the gap in the championship chase. At [[Zandvoort]], Hunt overtook [[Ronnie Peterson]] on the 12th lap and resisted pressure from [[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]] to win.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=j9weAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vVYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2672,5112938&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "Dutch Grand Prix Hunt's Birthday Gift."]''The Pittsburgh Press'', 30 August 1976, p. 18.</ref> At the [[1976 Italian Grand Prix|Italian Grand Prix]], the big story was Lauda's miraculous return from his Nürburgring accident. At a circuit that should have suited Hunt's car, the [[Texaco]] fuel McLaren were using was tested and although apparently legal, their cars, and those of the [[Penske]] team, were judged to contain a higher octane level than allowed. Subsequently, both teams were forced to start from the rear of the grid. While trying to make his way up the field, Hunt spun off, and Lauda finished fourth. At the next round in Canada, Hunt found out that he had been disqualified from the British Grand Prix and Lauda had been awarded the victory and thus received three additional points. A furious Hunt drove a very hard race at the challenging [[Mosport Park]] circuit and won. At the penultimate round in the [[1976 United States Grand Prix|United States]] at the daunting [[Watkins Glen International|Watkins Glen]] track, Hunt started from pole and took victory after a close battle with [[Jody Scheckter]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20130126050623/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tZpRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1hEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7077,2041808&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "Hunt Captures US Grand Prix; Ickx Injured."] ''The Milwaukee Sentinel'', 11 October 1976, p. 9B.</ref>
This set the stage for the final round in [[1976 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]]. Hunt's late season charge pulled him to just three points behind Lauda. The sliding scale of points for the top six finishers meant that Hunt needed to finish fourth (worth 3 points) or better to overtake Lauda in the championship. Lauda needed to earn two points fewer than Hunt, or better, to stay ahead. McLaren team manager [[Alastair Caldwell]] had taken advantage of the gap between the final two races to hire the [[Fuji Speedway|Fuji circuit]] – a track hosting its first Grand Prix and therefore unknown to all the teams – for an exclusive McLaren test. After a few laps the gearbox seized, bringing the test to a premature close, but the team had had the advantage of acclimatising themselves to the new circuit. Conditions for the race itself were torrentially wet. Lauda retired early on in the race, unable to blink because of facial burns from his accident in Germany.<ref>Rubython 2010, p. 243.</ref> After leading most of the race Hunt suffered a puncture, then had a delayed pitstop and finally received mixed pit signals from his team. But he managed to finish in third place, scoring four points, enough for him to win the World Championship by one point.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yMkyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v-0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1289,3794121&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "Lauda withdrawal <nowiki>[sic]</nowiki> gives Hunt title"]. ''Ottawa Citizen'', 26 October 1976, p. 19.</ref> Hunt was the last British Formula One champion until [[Nigel Mansell]] won the 1992 championship for [[Williams F1|Williams.]]<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BCNKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AIYMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1306,210468&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "James Hunt's death shocks racing world".] ''The Vindicator'', 16 June 1993, p. C3.</ref> He was, relatively, one of the cheapest F1 World Champions ever, having signed at the last minute for $200,000 – a scenario similar to that of 1982 champion [[Keke Rosberg]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}
[[File:Jame Hunt RoC 77.jpg|thumb|left|Hunt at the [[1976 Race of Champions]]]]

;1977
Before the start of 1977, Hunt attended a gala function at the Europa Hotel in London where he was awarded the Tarmac Trophy, along with two cheques, for £2000 and £500 respectively, a magnum of champagne and other awards. The presentation was made by the [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|Duke of Kent]]. Hunt made an acceptance speech after the event which was considered "suitably gracious and glamorous". The media were critical of Hunt as he attended the event dressed in jeans, T-shirt and a decrepit windbreaker.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 254.</ref>

Before the [[1977 South African Grand Prix|South African Grand Prix]], Hunt was confronted by customs officials who searched his luggage, finding no illegal substances except a publication that contravened the strict obscenity laws of South Africa. Hunt was later released, and tested at [[Kyalami]] where his [[McLaren M26]] suffered a loose brake caliper which cut a hole in one of the tyres. He recovered and put the car on pole position. The race saw Hunt suffer a collision with [[Jody Scheckter]]'s [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]] and another with [[Patrick Depailler]]'s [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]], but he still managed to finish fourth.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 257–259.</ref>

The season did not start well for Hunt. The [[McLaren M26]] was problematic in the early part of the season, during which [[Niki Lauda]], [[Mario Andretti]] and Jody Scheckter took a considerable lead in the Drivers' Championship. Towards the end of the year Hunt and the McLaren M26 were quicker than any rival combination other than [[Mario Andretti]] and the [[Lotus 78]]. Hunt won in Silverstone after trailing the Brabham of John Watson for 25 laps.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g0k0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=b2cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4336,1235243&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "James Hunt Wins Grand Prix Event."]''Sarasota Herald-Tribune'', 18 July 1977, p. 2C.</ref> He then took a further victory at Watkins Glen. At the [[1977 Canadian Grand Prix|Canadian Grand Prix]], Hunt retired after a collision with team-mate [[Jochen Mass]] and was fined $2000 for assaulting a marshal and $750 for walking back to the pit lane in an "unsafe manner".<ref>Williamson, Martin. [http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/19893.html "'Hunt the punch'."] ESPN, 11 June 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2012.</ref> In Fuji, Hunt won the race but did not attend the podium ceremony<ref>Medland, Chris. [http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/60393.html "Fuji's failed finale".]''ESPN'', 4 October 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2012.</ref> resulting in a fine of $20,000.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bu9hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hpIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1607,7658673&dq=james+hunt&hl=en "Hunt snubs Grand Prix ceremony."] ''The Age'', 25 October 1977, p. 38.</ref> He finished fifth in the World Drivers' Championship.

;1978
Before the {{F1|1978}} season Hunt had high hopes to win a second world championship; however, in this season he scored only eight world championship points. Lotus had developed effective [[ground effect in cars|ground effect]] aerodynamics with their [[Lotus 79]] car and McLaren were slow to respond. The M26 was revised as a ground effect car midway through the season but it did not work, and without a test driver to solve the car's problems, Hunt's motivation was low. His inexperienced new team-mate [[Patrick Tambay]] even outqualified Hunt at one race. In Germany, Hunt was disqualified for taking a shortcut to allow for a tyre change.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_HBIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7xEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7045,5913274&dq=james+hunt&hl=en"Andretti Wins Prix; Nears Formula Title".]{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''The Milwaukee Journal'', 31 July 1978, p. 4 (Part 2).</ref>

Hunt was also greatly affected by Ronnie Peterson's fatal crash in the [[1978 Italian Grand Prix]]. At the start of the race there was a huge accident going into the first corner. Peterson's Lotus was pushed into the barriers and burst into flames. Hunt, together with [[Patrick Depailler]] and [[Clay Regazzoni]], rescued Peterson from the car, but Peterson died one day later in hospital. Hunt took his friend's death particularly hard and for years afterwards blamed [[Riccardo Patrese]] for the accident.<ref>[http://8w.forix.com/hunt.html "8W – Who? -James Hunt."] ''8w.forix.com''. Retrieved 11 August 2012.</ref> He never forgave Patrese for the crash. Video evidence of the crash has since shown that Patrese did not touch Hunt or Peterson's cars, nor did he cause any other car to do so.<ref name=motorsport>Widdows, R. "Patrese: more sinned against than sinning?" ''Motor Sport'', 83/11, November 2007, pp. 82–85.</ref> Hunt believed that it was Patrese's muscling past that caused the McLaren and Lotus to touch, but Patrese argues that he was already well ahead of the pair before the accident took place.<ref name="motorsport" />

===1979: Walter Wolf Racing===
[[File:Wolf Racing team at Monaco GP 1979.jpg|thumb|left|Hunt's [[Wolf WR9]] being prepared at the [[1979 Monaco Grand Prix]]]]
For {{F1|1979}},  Hunt had resolved to leave the McLaren team. Despite his poor season in 1978 he was still very much in demand. [[Harvey Postlethwaite]] persuaded Hunt to join [[Walter Wolf Racing]] – a one-car team where he would have found an atmosphere similar to the one he had experienced at [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]] at the beginning of his career. Again he had high hopes to win races and compete for the world championship in what would be his last, and ultimately brief, Formula One season. The team's ground effect car was uncompetitive and Hunt soon lost any enthusiasm for racing.<ref>Rubython 2010, p. 270.</ref> Hunt could only watch as Jody Scheckter won the World Drivers' Championship that year driving the Ferrari 312T4.

At the first race in [[1979 Argentine Grand Prix|Argentina]], he felt the car was difficult to handle and on a fast lap, the front wing became detached striking his helmet. In the race, Hunt retired due to an electrical fault. In [[1979 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]], he retired on lap 6 due to instability under braking caused by a loose steering rack. During qualifying in [[1979 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]], the brakes on his car failed. He managed not to collide with the wall, but only finished 8th in the race. He retired at the [[1979 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish Grand Prix]] after 26 laps. At [[1979 Belgian Grand Prix|Zolder]], a new Wolf WR8 was raced but Hunt crashed into a barrier hard enough to bounce back onto the track. Hunt failed to finish the [[1979 Monaco Grand Prix]], the race where six years previously he had made his debut.

====Retirement from racing====
Hunt made a statement on 8 June 1979 to the press announcing his immediate retirement from F1 competition, citing his situation in the championship, and was replaced by future world champion [[Keke Rosberg]].<ref>"James Hunt to retire." ''The Rock Hill Herald'', 8 June 1979, p. 7.</ref> Despite going into retirement, he continued to work to promote his personal sponsors [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] and [[Olympus Corporation|Olympus]].<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 300–305.</ref> 

Hunt had always been realistic about the chances of early death from racing, and had been near to racing deaths such as that of [[François Cevert]].<ref>p66, p113, p294, Donaldson 1994</ref> According to Peter Warr, Hunt had been badly affected by the Ronnie Peterson accident in Monza the year before and his heart was no longer in it. Warr recalled Hunt telling him that he discovered that if he nudged the car up against the barrier and give it a squirt of throttle in second gear, it would break a driveshaft. "At Monaco, four laps into the race, James stopped up the hill by Rosie's bar, with a broken driveshaft. Then he told us he was retiring."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-2008/90/lunch-peter-warr|title = Lunch with... Peter Warr| date=7 July 2014 }}</ref>

==Later career (1979–1993)==
===Commentary career===
Soon after retirement, in 1979, Hunt was approached by Jonathan Martin, the head of BBC television sport, to become a television commentator alongside [[Murray Walker]] on the [[BBC Two|BBC 2]] Formula One racing programme [[Grand Prix (TV programme)|''Grand Prix'']]. After a guest commentary at the [[1979 British Grand Prix]], Hunt accepted the position and continued for thirteen years until his death. During his first live broadcast at the [[1980 Monaco Grand Prix]], Hunt placed his plaster-cast leg into Walker's lap and drank two bottles of wine during the broadcast.<ref>[http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/james-hunt-the-shunt/ "James 'Hunt The Shunt', The 1970's High-Flyin' Lothario of Formula 1."] ''The Selvedge Yard'', 16 October 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/32800.html "Trackside: Remembering James Hunt."] ''Auto Trader'', 30 November 2006.</ref> Hunt regularly went into the booth minutes before a race started, which concerned Martin, who believed that Hunt was "a guy that lived on adrenaline."<ref name=d312>Donaldson 1994, pp. 312–313.</ref>

In the commentary booth, the producers supplied only one microphone to Walker and Hunt, to avoid them talking over each other. On one occasion, Hunt wanted the microphone and went up to Walker, who had continued for longer than expected, and grabbed him by the collar, with Walker having his fist near to Hunt.<ref>"Murray Walker: Life in the Fast Lane" (Television Production and video). BBC (London), Airdate 2011.</ref> On another occasion, Hunt grabbed the microphone cord and cracked it like a whip, which yanked the microphone out of Walker's hand. His insights and dry sense of humour brought him a new fanbase. He often heavily criticised drivers he did not think were trying hard enough – during the BBC's live broadcast of the [[1989 Monaco Grand Prix]] he described [[René Arnoux]]'s comments that non-turbo cars did not suit the Frenchman's driving skills as "bullshit".<ref>{{cite episode| title = Monaco Grand Prix May, 7 1989| series = 1| credits = Walker, Murray and James Hunt, (Commentators)| network = [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]| station = [[BBC Two]]| airdate = 7 May 1989| season = 1989}}</ref> He also had a reputation for speaking out against back-markers who held up race leaders.<ref>{{cite episode| title = Portuguese Grand Prix September 23, 1990| url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl6w2OHOwkk| series = 1| credits =Walker, Murray, and James Hunt, (Commentators)| network = [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]| season = 1990}}</ref>

Other than Arnoux, Hunt's other frequent targets included [[Andrea de Cesaris]], [[Philippe Alliot]], [[Jean-Pierre Jarier]] and [[Riccardo Patrese]]. Hunt criticised Jean-Pierre Jarier for blocking leaders, calling him "pig ignorant", a "French wally" and having a "mental age of ten" during live broadcasts.<ref>{{YouTube|XHS53krjxkg|James Hunt: "Jarier has a mental age of 10"}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|JMZhPtJ86Eo|James Hunt Savage Commentary |}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|e16fDASkcGY|James Hunt calls Jarier an idiot |}}</ref> Hunt further suggested that Jarier should be banned from racing "for being himself".<ref>{{cite episode| title = Austrian Grand Prix August, 14 1983| series = 1| credits = Walker, Murray and James Hunt, (Commentators)| network = [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]| station = [[BBC Two]]| airdate = 14 August 1983| season = 1983}}</ref><ref name="richardsf1.com">{{cite web|url=http://richardsf1.com/2012/07/10/happy-birthday-jean-pierre-jarier/|title=Happy birthday, Jean-Pierre Jarier!|publisher=richardsf1.com|access-date=26 September 2014|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013123303/http://richardsf1.com/2012/07/10/happy-birthday-jean-pierre-jarier/|archive-date=13 October 2014}}</ref>

Hunt did not want his commentaries broadcast in South Africa during the [[Apartheid in South Africa|apartheid]] years but when he could not stop this from happening, he gave his fees to black-led groups working to overthrow apartheid.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/aug/15/hugh-muir-diary-theresa-37-offences "Guardian diary Thursday 15th August 2013".] ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 7 September 2013.</ref>

Hunt also commented on Grand Prix racing in newspaper columns which were published in ''The Independent'' and elsewhere, and in magazines.<ref name="independent">Tremayne, David.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-james-hunt-1491961.html "Obituary: James Hunt."] ''The Independent'', 16 June 1993. Retrieved 30 March 2015.</ref>

===Attempted comebacks===
In 1980, Hunt nearly made a comeback with McLaren at the United States Grand Prix West, asking for $1&nbsp;million for the race. This opportunity came about when regular driver [[Alain Prost]] broke his wrist during practice for the previous round in [[1980 South African Grand Prix|South Africa]], and was not fully fit to drive at Long Beach. The team's main sponsor, Marlboro, offered half the figure but negotiations ended after Hunt broke his leg while skiing. In 1982 [[Bernie Ecclestone]], owner of the [[Brabham]] team, offered Hunt a salary of £2.6&nbsp;million for the season but was rejected by Hunt. In 1990, Hunt was in financial trouble with the loss of £180,000 investing in [[Lloyd's of London]]<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/james-hunt-faced-180000-pounds-losses-at-lloyds-thousands-of-underwriting-members-to-confront-markets-authorities-at-meeting-in-royal-festival-hall-1492992.html "James Hunt 'faced 180,000 pounds losses at Lloyd's'."] ''The Independent'', 21 June 1993.</ref> and considered a comeback with the Williams team. He had tested on the [[Paul Ricard Circuit]] a few months prior to test modern cars and was several seconds off the pace and believed he would be physically prepared. Hunt attempted to persuade [[John Hogan (motorsport executive)|John Hogan]], VP Marketing of Philip Morris Europe,<ref>[http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cref-hogjoh.html "John Hogan."]''Grand Prix.com''. Retrieved 24 August 2013.</ref> to support the possible comeback, and presented him with bank statement for proof of being indebted.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 310–311.</ref>

===Other projects===
Hunt made a brief appearance in the 1979 British silent slapstick comedy ''[[The Plank (1979 film)|The Plank]]'', as well as co-starring with [[Fred Emney]] in a [[Texaco]] Havoline TV advertisement. He also made a posthumous appearance on ITV's ''[[Police Camera Action!]]'' special ''Crash Test Racers'' in 2000; this was one of many interviews to be aired posthumously. Hunt also competed in an exhibition race to mark the opening of the new Nürburgring in May 1984.<ref>Edmondson, Laurence.[http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/54800.html "Twenty equal cars, one winner."] ESPN, 22 July 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2012.</ref> Despite having no licence to ride a motorcycle, he accepted, instead of his usual fee, the then-new 1980 electric start [[Triumph Bonneville T140|Triumph Bonneville]] he had contracted to advertise on behalf of the struggling [[Triumph Engineering Company|Triumph motorcycle workers' co-operative]]. With journalistic mirth, he turned up at the press launch with his foot in plaster.<ref>Rosamond 2009, p. 183.</ref>

Hunt was hired by John Hogan as an adviser and tutor to drivers who were sponsored by Marlboro, instructing them in the tactics of driving and the approach to racing. [[Mika Häkkinen]] and Hunt had discussions about not only racing but about life in general.<ref name="d312" />

==Personal life==

===Friendships with racing drivers===
Early in their careers, Hunt and [[Niki Lauda]] were friends off the track. Lauda occasionally stayed at Hunt's flat when he had nowhere to sleep for the night. In his autobiography ''To Hell and Back'', Lauda described Hunt as an "open, honest to God pal." Lauda admired Hunt's burst of speed, while Hunt admired Lauda's capacity for analysis and rigour.<ref>Chimits et al. 2008, pp. 90–93.</ref> In the spring of 1974, Hunt moved to Spain on the advice of the [[IMG (company)|International Management Group]].<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 128.</ref> Whilst living there as a tax exile, Hunt was the neighbour of [[Jody Scheckter]], and they also came to be very good friends, with Hunt giving Scheckter the nickname Fletcher after the crash-prone bird in the book ''[[Jonathan Livingston Seagull]]''. Another close friend was [[Ronnie Peterson]] who was a quiet and shy man, whilst Hunt was the opposite, but their contrasting personalities made them very close off the track. It was Hunt who discovered [[Gilles Villeneuve]], whom he met after being soundly beaten by him in a [[Formula Atlantic]] race in 1976. Hunt then arranged for the young Canadian to make his Grand Prix debut with McLaren in 1977.

===Personal relationships===

Hunt was involved in a relationship with Taormina Rieck (known as Ping by her friends) from the age of 15.<ref name=hunt /> Rieck separated from Hunt in May 1971, which left Hunt not seeing his family or friends for long periods of time.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 67–68.</ref>

Hunt met his first wife, [[Suzy Miller]], in 1974 in Spain. A few weeks after their initial meeting, he proposed. The couple married on 18 October 1974 at the [[Brompton Oratory]] in [[Knightsbridge]]. By the end of 1975, Miller had left Hunt for the actor [[Richard Burton]].

Hunt moved to [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]] in 1982.<ref>Stock, Jon.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121017064127/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/9612631/For-sale-F1-star-James-Hunts-London-home.html "For sale: F1 star James Hunt's London home".] ''The Telegraph'', 16 October 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.</ref> 

Hunt met Sarah Lomax in September 1982, while she was on a holiday in Spain with friends. Hunt started dating Lomax when she arrived back in Britain, and they dated throughout the winter. Hunt and Lomax were married on 17 December 1983 in [[Marlborough, Wiltshire|Marlborough]], Wiltshire. Hunt arrived late for the service, with proceedings delayed further when his brother Peter went to a shop to purchase a tie for him.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 321</ref> The marriage resulted in two children, Tom and Freddie, the latter of whom is also a racing driver.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402481/bio "James Hunt: Biography."]''IMDb''. Retrieved 11 August 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.freddiehunt.com/ "Freddie Hunt."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411073012/http://www.freddiehunt.com/ |date=11 April 2015 }} ''freddiehunt.com''. Retrieved 5 April 2015.</ref> Hunt and Lomax separated in October 1988 but continued to live together for the best interests of their children. They were divorced in November 1989 on the grounds of [[adultery]] committed by Hunt.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 334–335.</ref>

Hunt met Helen Dyson in the winter of 1989. She was working as a waitress in a restaurant in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]] whilst studying Fine Art (specialising in fabric design) at [[Middlesex Polytechnic]].<ref>p344, Donaldson 1994</ref> Dyson was 18 years Hunt's junior and worried about her parents' reactions to him. Hunt kept the relationship secret from friends. The relationship brought new happiness to Hunt's life, among other factors which included his clean health, his bicycle, his casual approach to dress, his two sons and his [[Austin A35]] van.<ref name="independent" /> The day before he died, Hunt proposed to Dyson via telephone.<ref>Donaldson 1994, pp. 346–354.</ref>

===Others===
Hunt claimed to have slept with 5,000 women.<ref name="wills20241004">{{Cite news |last=Wills |first=Kate |date=2024-10-04 |title=The privately educated law student at the heart of the F1 love triangle |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/04/the-woman-at-the-heart-of-the-f1-love-triangle/ |access-date=2024-10-05 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> 

On a visit to [[Doncaster]] in 1987, Hunt was arrested for an assault, which was witnessed by two police officers, but was released on bail after two hours with the charges against him later being dropped.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 332.</ref> 

Hunt suffered periodically from depression, particularly after his racing retirement.<ref name="auto"> p334 Donaldson 1994</ref>

Hunt's wealth earned from his racing and media work was reduced by divorce and by [[Lloyd's of London]] losses.<ref> p337, Donaldson 1994</ref>

==Death==
Hunt died in the early hours of 15 June 1993 of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] at his home in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], after having felt unwell, with pains in his upper body, the previous evening.<ref>Found lying on the floor beside his bed, wearing his dressing gown. P354-355, Donaldson 1994</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-james-hunt-1491961.html|title=Obituary: James Hunt|date=15 June 1993|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/heritage/formula-1/drivers/james-hunt/remembering-james-25-years-2138205/|title=A last heartbreaking flourish|website=www.mclaren.com}}</ref><ref>[https://www.formula1.com/en/championship/drivers/hall-of-fame/James_Hunt.html "James Hunt".] ''The Official Formula 1 Website''. Retrieved 22 September 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Siano |first1=Joseph |title=James Hunt, 45, Race-Car Driver Known for Style as Well as Title |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/16/obituaries/james-hunt-45-race-car-driver-known-for-style-as-well-as-title.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=24 April 2018 |date=16 June 1993}}</ref> He was 45 years old.

At his funeral service, the pallbearers included his father Wallis, his brothers Tim, Peter and David, and his friend Anthony 'Bubbles' Horsley. They carried the coffin out of the church and into the hearse, which drove two miles to [[Putney Vale Cemetery|Putney Vale Crematorium]], where he was cremated. After the service, most of the mourners went to Peter Hunt's home to open a 1922 [[claret]], the year of Wallis Hunt's birth. The claret had been given to him by James on his 60th birthday in 1982.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 357.</ref> Speeches by [[Stirling Moss]] and [[Alexander Fermor-Hesketh, 3rd Baron Hesketh|Alexander Hesketh]] reflected the complexity and strength of Hunt's character.<ref name="auto"/>

==Legacy==
[[file:James Hunt - Dutch GP 1976.jpg|thumb|Hunt at the [[1976 Dutch Grand Prix]]]]
Hunt was known as a fast driver with an aggressive, tail-happy driving style, but one prone to spectacular accidents, hence his nickname of ''Hunt the Shunt''. In reality, while Hunt was not necessarily any more accident-prone than his rivals in the lower formulae, the rhyme stuck and stayed with him. In the book ''James Hunt: The Biography'', John Hogan said of Hunt: "James was the only driver I've ever seen who had the vaguest idea about what it actually takes to be a racing driver."<ref name=d312 /> Niki Lauda stated that "We were big rivals, especially at the end of the [1976] season, but I respected him because you could drive next to him—2 centimetres, wheel-by-wheel, for 300 kilometres or more—and nothing would happen. He was a real top driver at the time."<ref>{{cite web | last = Stern | first = Marlow | title = Almost fatal: Legendary Formula One racer Niki Lauda on the season that nearly killed him. | work = Newsweek | date = 27 September 2013 | url = http://mag.newsweek.com/2013/09/27/niki-lauda-on-his-career-rivalry-and-near-death-season-in-rush.html | access-date = 9 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131008104616/http://mag.newsweek.com/2013/09/27/niki-lauda-on-his-career-rivalry-and-near-death-season-in-rush.html | archive-date = 8 October 2013 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

After winning the world championship in 1976, Hunt inspired many teenagers to take up motor racing,<ref>[http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=24 "Formula 1's Greatest Drivers: No. 24, James Hunt".] ''[[Autosport]]''. Retrieved 10 August 2012.</ref> and he was retained by Marlboro to give guidance and support to up and coming drivers in the lower formulae. In early 2007, Formula One driver and [[2007 Formula One season|2007 World Champion]] [[Kimi Räikkönen]] entered and won a [[snowmobile]] race in his native Finland under the name James Hunt. Räikkönen has openly admired the lifestyles of 1970s race car drivers such as Hunt.<ref name= Kimi>Benson, Andrew.[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7055633.stm "Raikkonen the playboy king".] ''[[BBC Sport]]'', 21 October 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.</ref> Hunt's name was lent to the James Hunt Racing Centre in [[Milton Keynes]] when it opened in 1990.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 337.</ref>

A Celebration of the Life of James Hunt was held on 29 September 1993 at [[St James's Church, Piccadilly]]. The service was attended by 600 people and on 29 January 2014 James Hunt was inducted into the Motor Sport Hall of Fame.

==Helmet==
Hunt's helmet featured his name in bold letters along with blue, yellow and red stripes on both sides and room for the sponsor [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]], all set on a black background.<ref>[http://en.espnf1.com/monaco/motorsport/story/79577.html "James Hunt helmet a 'nice design'."] ESPN, 25 May 2012.</ref> Additionally, the blue, yellow and red bands resemble his Wellington College school colours.<ref>Donaldson 1994, p. 34.</ref> During his comeback year to Formula One in 2012, [[2007 Formula One season|2007 World Champion]] [[Kimi Räikkönen]] sported a helmet with the James Hunt's name printed on it during the [[2012 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/5/13379.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713080601/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/5/13379.html|title=Formula One qualifying 2012 at Monaco|publisher=Formula One|date=24 May 2012|archive-date=13 July 2014}}</ref> Räikkönen repeated the tribute at the [[2013 Monaco Grand Prix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espnf1.com/monaco/motorsport/story/108873.html|title=Raikkonen told to cover up James Hunt helmet tribute|work=ESPN F1 |publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=25 May 2013|access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The 1976 title battle between Niki Lauda and Hunt was dramatised in the 2013 film ''[[Rush (2013 film)|Rush]]'', in which Hunt was played by [[Chris Hemsworth]]. In the film, Lauda said of Hunt's death, "When I heard he'd died aged 45 of a heart attack I wasn't surprised, I was just sad." He also said that Hunt was one of the very few people he liked, a smaller number he respected and the only one he had envied.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM6OABZ0PZ4 Niki Lauda on James Hunt], Graham Bensinger, 11 October 2017.</ref>

A fictional depiction of Hunt, voiced by his son Tom,<ref>{{cite web |author1-link=McLaren|title=Tooned 50: The making of (part 2)|website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw2VjijqxOI|language=en |format=video|date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> appeared as a [[James Bond]]-esque [[Spy fiction|secret agent]] in McLaren's ''[[Tooned]]'' cartoon to commemorate McLaren's 50th anniversary in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author1-link=McLaren|title=Tooned 50: Episode 4 - The James Hunt Story|website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyX4Ogj8OA|language=en |format=video|date=September 4, 2013}}</ref>

The 2024 ''[[Senna (miniseries)|Senna]]'' miniseries, which follows the racing career of [[Ayrton Senna]], prominently features Hunt, portrayed by [[Leon Ockenden]], in his years as a commentator.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/senna-series-formula-1-news-photos-release-date|title=Everything to Know About Senna, a New Series About the Brazilian Racing Hero|publisher=Netflix Tudum|date=3 December 2024}}</ref>

==Racing record==
===Career summary===
{{Incomplete list|date=December 2021}}
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center"
!Season
!Series
!Team
!Races
!Wins
!Poles
!F/Laps
!Podiums
!Points
!Position
|-
!rowspan=3|1969
|align=left|[[Formula Ford EuroCup|European Formula Ford]]
|align=left|
|7
|?
|?
|?
|?
|6
|6th
|-
|align=left|[[1969 British Formula Three season|Lombank British Formula Three]]
|align=left|Motor Racing Enterprise
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|8
|15th
|-
|align=left|[[Formula Ford|British Formula Ford]]
|align=left|Gowrings
|2
|0
|?
|?
|?
|5
|21st
|-
!rowspan=4|1970
|align=left|[[1970 British Formula Three season|Shellsport British Formula Three]]
|align=left|
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|21
|6th
|-
|align=left|[[1970 British Saloon Car Championship|British Saloon Car Championship]]
|align=left|Jeremy Nightingale
|3
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|NC
|-
|align=left|[[French Formula Three Championship|French Formula Three]]
|align=left|Molyslip Lotus Racing
|1
|1
|?
|?
|1
|0
|NC
|-
|align=left|[[Formula Ford|British Formula Ford]]
|align=left|Gowrings
|1
|0
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|-
!1971
|align=left|[[British Formula 3 International Series|Shellsport National British Formula Three]]
|align=left|
|8
|0
|1
|0
|3
|12
|10th
|-
!rowspan=4|1972
|align=left|[[1972 European Formula Two Championship|European Formula Two]]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left"|[[Hesketh Racing]]
|3
|0
|0
|0
|0
|5
|17th
|-
|align=left|[[Formula Two#British Formula Two|British Formula Two]]
|1
|0
|0
|1
|1
|8
|6th
|-
|align=left|[[British Formula 3 International Series|Lombard North British Formula Three]]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left"|[[March Engineering|STP March Racing]]
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|3
|19th
|-
|align=left nowrap|[[British Formula 3 International Series|Shellsport National British Formula Three]]
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|9
|15th
|-
!rowspan=3|1973
|align=left|[[1973 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:left"|[[Hesketh Racing]]
|7
|0
|0
|2
|2
|14
|8th
|-
|align=left|[[1973 European Formula Two Championship|European Formula Two]]
|3
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|NC
|-
|align=left|[[European Touring Car Championship]]
|align=left|Jagermeister Alpina Racing
|?
|?
|?
|?
|2
|30
|10th
|-
!rowspan=3|1974
|align=left|[[1974 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left|[[Hesketh Racing]]
|15
|0
|0
|0
|3
|15
|8th
|-
|align=left nowrap|[[1974 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship|SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship]]
|align=left|[[Francisco Mir Racing]]
|3
|0
|0
|0
|1
|15
|11th
|-
|align=left|[[1974 World Sportscar Championship|World Sportscar Championship]]
|align=left nowrap| [[John Wyer|John Wyer Automotive Engineering]]
|1
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|NC
|-
!1975
|align=left|[[1975 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left|[[Hesketh Racing]]
|14
|1
|0
|1
|4
|33
|4th
|-
!1976
|align=left|[[1976 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left|[[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren|Team McLaren]]
|16
|6
|8
|2
|8
|69
|style="background:#FFFFBF"|'''1st'''
|-
!1977
|align=left|[[1977 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left|[[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren|Team McLaren]]
|17
|3
|6
|3
|5
|40
|5th
|-
!1978
|align=left|[[1978 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left|[[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren|Team McLaren]]
|16
|0
|0
|0
|1
|8
|13th
|-
!1979
|align=left|[[1979 Formula One season|Formula One]]
|align=left nowrap| [[Olympus Corporation|Olympus Cameras]] [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf Racing]]
|7
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|NC
|-
!1992
|align=left|[[Interserie|Interserie – Div. I]]
|align=left|James Hunt
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0.5
|33rd
|-
|}

===Complete British Saloon Car Championship results===
([[:Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position; races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap.)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year
! Team
! Car
! Class
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! DC
! Pts
! Class
|-
| [[1970 British Saloon Car Championship|1970]]
! nowrap| Nightingale
! nowrap| [[Hillman Imp]]
! <span style="padding:1px 4px; color:white; background-color:red;">{{Tooltip|A|Class A}}</span>
| [[Brands Hatch|BRH]]
| [[Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit|SNE]]
| [[Thruxton Circuit|THR]]
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL]]<br><small>29</small>
| [[Crystal Palace circuit|CRY]]
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL]]<br><small>Ret</small>
| [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL]]
| [[Croft Circuit|CRO]]
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[Brands Hatch|BRH]]<br><small>Ret</small>
| [[Oulton Park|OUL]]
| [[Brands Hatch|BRH]]
| [[Brands Hatch|BRH]]
! NC
! 0
! NC
|}

===Complete Formula One World Championship results===
([[:Template:F1 driver results legend 2|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position, races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
|-
! Year
! Entrant
! Chassis
! Engine
! 1
! 2
! 3
! 4
! 5
! 6
! 7
! 8
! 9
! 10
! 11
! 12
! 13
! 14
! 15
! 16
! 17
! WDC
! [[List of Formula One World Championship points scoring systems|Pts.]]
|-
| {{F1|1973}}
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing]]
! nowrap| [[March Engineering|March]] [[March 731|731]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|| [[1973 Argentine Grand Prix|ARG]]
|| [[1973 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]
|| [[1973 South African Grand Prix|RSA]]
|| [[1973 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]
|| [[1973 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1973 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|9}}
|| [[1973 Swedish Grand Prix|SWE]]
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1973 French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br />{{small|6}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| ''[[1973 British Grand Prix|GBR]]''<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[1973 Dutch Grand Prix|NED]]<br />{{small|3}}
|| [[1973 German Grand Prix|GER]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1973 Austrian Grand Prix|AUT]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#fff;"| [[1973 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|DNS}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1973 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br />{{small|7}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| ''[[1973 United States Grand Prix|USA]]''<br />{{small|2}}
|colspan=2|
! 8th
! 14
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{F1|1974}}
!rowspan="2" nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing]]
! nowrap| [[March Engineering|March]] [[March 731|731]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 Argentine Grand Prix|ARG]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1974 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|9}}
|colspan=15|
!rowspan="2"| 8th
!rowspan="2"| 15
|-
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]] [[Hesketh 308|308]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|colspan=2|
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 South African Grand Prix|RSA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1974 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|10}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[1974 Swedish Grand Prix|SWE]]<br />{{small|3}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 Dutch Grand Prix|NED]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[1974 Austrian Grand Prix|AUT]]<br />{{small|3}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1974 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1974 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[1974 United States Grand Prix|USA]]<br />{{small|3}}
|colspan=2|
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{F1|1975}}
!rowspan="2" nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing]]
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]] [[Hesketh 308|308B]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| ''[[1975 Argentine Grand Prix|ARG]]''<br />{{small|2}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1975 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|6}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1975 South African Grand Prix|RSA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1975 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1975 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1975 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1975 Swedish Grand Prix|SWE]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[1975 Dutch Grand Prix|NED]]<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| [[1975 French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br />{{small|2}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1975 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1975 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| [[1975 Austrian Grand Prix|AUT]]<br />{{small|2}}
|colspan=5|
!rowspan="2"| 4th
!rowspan="2"| 33
|-
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]] [[Hesketh 308C|308C]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|colspan=12|
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1975 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|5}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1975 United States Grand Prix|USA]]<br />{{small|4}}
|colspan=3|
|-
| {{F1|1976}}
! nowrap| [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren (racing)|Team McLaren]]
! nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren M23|M23]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| '''[[1976 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]'''<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''[[1976 South African Grand Prix|RSA]]'''<br />{{small|2}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1976 United States Grand Prix West|USW]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''[[1976 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]'''<br />{{small|1*}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1976 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1976 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1976 Swedish Grand Prix|SWE]]<br />{{small|5}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''[[1976 French Grand Prix|FRA]]'''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#000; color:#fff;"| [[1976 British Grand Prix|<span style="color:white;">GBR</span>]]<br />{{small|DSQ}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''[[1976 German Grand Prix|GER]]'''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| '''''[[1976 Austrian Grand Prix|AUT]]'''''<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[1976 Dutch Grand Prix|NED]]<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1976 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''[[1976 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]'''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''''[[1976 United States Grand Prix|USA]]'''''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[1976 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br />{{small|3}}
|
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''1st'''
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''69'''
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{F1|1977}}
!rowspan="2" nowrap| [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren (racing)|Team McLaren]]
! nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren M23|M23]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| '''''[[1977 Argentine Grand Prix|ARG]]'''''<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| '''''[[1977 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]'''''<br />{{small|2}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| '''[[1977 South African Grand Prix|RSA]]'''<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1977 United States Grand Prix West|USW]]<br />{{small|7}}
|
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1977 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|colspan=11|
!rowspan="2"| 5th
!rowspan="2"| 40
|-
! nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren M26|M26]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|colspan=4|
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1977 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1977 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|7}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1977 Swedish Grand Prix|SWE]]<br />{{small|12}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[1977 French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br />{{small|3}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''''[[1977 British Grand Prix|GBR]]'''''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1977 German Grand Prix|GER]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1977 Austrian Grand Prix|AUT]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1977 Dutch Grand Prix|NED]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| '''[[1977 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]'''<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| '''[[1977 United States Grand Prix|USA]]'''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1977 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#ffffbf;"| [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix|JPN]]<br />{{small|1}}
|-
| {{F1|1978}}
! nowrap| [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren (racing)|Team McLaren]]
! nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren M26|M26]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1978 Argentine Grand Prix|ARG]]<br />{{small|4}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 South African Grand Prix|RSA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 United States Grand Prix West|USW]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[1978 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|6}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1978 Swedish Grand Prix|SWE]]<br />{{small|8}}
|style="background:#ffdf9f;"| [[1978 French Grand Prix|FRA]]<br />{{small|3}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 British Grand Prix|GBR]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#000; color:#fff;"| [[1978 German Grand Prix|<span style="color:white;">GER</span>]]<br />{{small|DSQ}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 Austrian Grand Prix|AUT]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1978 Dutch Grand Prix|NED]]<br />{{small|10}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1978 United States Grand Prix|USA]]<br />{{small|7}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1978 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|
! 13th
! 8
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{F1|1979}}
!rowspan="2" nowrap| [[Olympus Corporation|Olympus Cameras]] [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf Racing]]
! nowrap| [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]] [[Wolf WR7|WR7]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1979 Argentine Grand Prix|ARG]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1979 Brazilian Grand Prix|BRA]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[1979 South African Grand Prix|RSA]]<br />{{small|8}}
|
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1979 Spanish Grand Prix|ESP]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1979 Monaco Grand Prix|MON]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
| [[1979 French Grand Prix|FRA]]
| [[1979 British Grand Prix|GBR]]
| [[1979 German Grand Prix|GER]]
| [[1979 Austrian Grand Prix|AUT]]
| [[1979 Dutch Grand Prix|NED]]
| [[1979 Italian Grand Prix|ITA]]
| [[1979 Canadian Grand Prix|CAN]]
| [[1979 United States Grand Prix|USA]]
|colspan=2|
!rowspan="2"| NC
!rowspan="2"| 0
|-
! nowrap| [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]] [[Wolf WR8|WR8]]
! nowrap| [[Cosworth DFV|Ford Cosworth DFV]] 3.0 [[V8 engine|V8]]
|colspan=3|
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1979 United States Grand Prix West|USW]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|
|style="background:#efcfff;"| [[1979 Belgian Grand Prix|BEL]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|colspan=11|
|-
!colspan="23"|{{center|{{small|Sources:<ref name=MSportStats>{{cite web|title=James Hunt Results|url=https://motorsportstats.com/driver/james-hunt/results|publisher=Motorsport Stats|access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Small|first=Steve|title=Grand Prix Who's Who|chapter=James Hunt|url=https://archive.org/details/grandprixwhoswho0000smal|year=2000|edition=Third|publisher=Travel Publishing|location=Reading, Berkshire|pages=292–295|access-date=14 September 2025|isbn=978-1-902007-46-5|url-access=registration|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>}}}}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> Hunt was initially disqualified due to  his car being deemed illegal, but later reinstated after McLaren successfully appealed the decision.

===Formula One non-championship results===
([[:Template:F1 driver results legend 3|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position)
(Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
! Year
! Entrant
! Chassis
! Engine
! 1
! 2
! 3
|-
| 1973
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing]]
! nowrap| [[Surtees Racing Organisation|Surtees]] [[Surtees TS9|TS9]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| [[1973 Race of Champions|ROC]]<br />{{small|3}}
| [[1973 BRDC International Trophy|INT]]
|
|-
|rowspan=2| 1974
!rowspan=2 nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing]]
! nowrap| [[March Engineering|March]] [[March 731|731]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[1974 Presidente Medici Grand Prix|PRE]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|colspan=2|
|-
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]] [[Hesketh 308|308]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
|
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[1974 Race of Champions|'''ROC''']]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| [[1974 BRDC International Trophy|'''''INT''''']]<br />{{small|1}}
|-
| 1975
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing]]
! nowrap| [[Hesketh Racing|Hesketh]] [[Hesketh 308|308]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
| [[1975 Race of Champions|ROC]]
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| '''''[[1975 BRDC International Trophy|INT]]'''''<br />{{small|Ret}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[1975 Swiss Grand Prix|SUI]]<br />{{small|7}}
|-
| 1976
! nowrap| [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren (racing)|Team McLaren]]
! nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren M23|M23]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''[[1976 Race of Champions|ROC]]'''<br />{{small|1}}
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''''[[1976 BRDC International Trophy|INT]]'''''<br />{{small|1}}
|
|-
| 1977
! nowrap| [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren (racing)|Team McLaren]]
! nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren M23|M23]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| '''[[1977 Race of Champions|ROC]]'''<br />{{small|1}}
|colspan=2|
|-
| 1978
! nowrap| [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] [[McLaren (racing)|Team McLaren]]
! nowrap| [[McLaren]] [[McLaren M26|M26]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| [[1978 BRDC International Trophy|INT]]<br />{{small|Ret}}
|colspan=2|
|-
| 1979
! nowrap| [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf Racing]]
! nowrap| [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf]] [[Wolf WR8|WR8]]
! nowrap| [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[V8 engine|V8]]
| [[1979 Race of Champions|ROC]]
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"| [[Gunnar Nilsson Memorial Trophy|GNM]]<br />{{small|2}}
| [[1979 Dino Ferrari Grand Prix|DIN]]
|-
!colspan="7"|{{center|{{small|Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=James Hunt – Involvement Non World Championship|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/james-hunt/engagementhc.aspx|work=StatsF1|access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref>}}}}
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==See also==
* [[Formula One drivers from the United Kingdom]]
* [[Hunt–Lauda rivalry]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist|30em}}

'''Bibliography'''
{{Refbegin}}
* Chimits, Xavier, Bernard Cahier and Paul-Henri Cahier. [https://books.google.com/books?id=s7eQAJpPXCAC&dq=James+Hunt+F1&pg=PA90 ''Grand Prix Racers: Portraits of Speed''.]{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-7603-3430-0}}.
* Donaldson, Gerald: [https://books.google.com/books?id=84IMayPZBgUC&q=James+Hunt ''James Hunt: The Biography''.] London: [[Virgin Books]], 1994. {{ISBN|978-0-7535-1823-6}}.
* McDonough, Ed. [https://books.google.com/books?id=swqEQOTB0oAC&dq=James+Hunt+F1&pg=PA78 ''Gulf-Mirage 1967 to 1982''.] Dorchester, UK: Veloce, 2012. {{ISBN|978-1-845842-51-2}}.
* Rosamond, John. ''Save The Triumph Bonneville: The Inside Story Of The Meriden Workers' Co-Op''. Dorchester, UK: Veloce, 2009. {{ISBN|978-1-84584-265-9}}.
* Rubython, Tom. ''In the Name of Glory: 1976, The Greatest Ever Sporting Duel''. London: The Myrtle Press, 2011. {{ISBN|978-0-95656-569-3}}.
* Rubython, Tom. ''Rush to Glory: Formula 1 Racing's Greatest Rivalry''. London: The Myrtle Press, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0-7627-9696-0}}.
* Rubython, Tom. [https://books.google.com/books?id=6NNHbwAACAAJ&q=James+Hunt ''Shunt: The Story of James Hunt.''] London: The Myrtle Press, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-956-565-600}}.
* Young, Eoin and James Hunt. [https://books.google.com/books?id=I7DjqvOYRaoC&q=James+Hunt ''James Hunt: Against All Odds.''] London: Dutton, 1978. {{ISBN|978-0-525-1362-55}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|James Hunt}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|0402481|James Hunt}}
*[http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-hunjam.html GrandPrix.com biography]
*[http://www.connectingrod.it/Glories/Hunt/jameshunt_eng.html ConnectingRod article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722031200/http://www.connectingrod.it/Glories/Hunt/jameshunt_eng.html |date=22 July 2011 }}
*[http://bodieofci5.tripod.com/jameshunt/ James Hunt appreciation website]
*[http://www.4mula1.ro/history/driver/James_Hunt James Hunt statistics]
*[http://www.f1video.tv/2008/07/14/james-hunt-9-points-and-a-lot-fo-happiness/ Video of James Hunt just after he won the 1976 British Grand Prix]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|title=[[BRDC International Trophy]]<br>Winner |before=[[Jackie Stewart]]|after=[[Niki Lauda]]|years=1974}}
{{succession box|title=[[BRDC International Trophy]]<br>Winner |before=[[Niki Lauda]]|after=[[Keke Rosberg]]|years=1976}}
{{succession box|title=[[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|Formula One World Champion]] |before=[[Niki Lauda]]|after=[[Niki Lauda]]|years={{F1|1976}}}}
{{succession box|title=[[Race of Champions (Brands Hatch)|Brands Hatch Race of Champions]]<br>Winner |before=[[Tom Pryce]]|after=[[Gilles Villeneuve]]|years=1976–1977}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | title=[[Hawthorn Memorial Trophy]] | before=[[Denny Hulme]] | after=[[John Watson (racing driver)|John Watson]]| years=1975–1977}}
{{s-end}}

{{Formula One World Drivers' Champions}}
{{McLaren}}
{{Wolf Racing}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunt, James}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:1993 deaths]]
[[Category:BBC sports presenters and reporters]]
[[Category:BRDC Gold Star winners]]
[[Category:British Formula Three Championship drivers]]
[[Category:Burials at Putney Vale Cemetery]]
[[Category:English Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:English racing drivers]]
[[Category:European Formula Two Championship drivers]]
[[Category:Formula One World Drivers' Champions]]
[[Category:Formula One race winners]]
[[Category:Grovewood Award winners]]
[[Category:Hesketh Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:International Race of Champions drivers]]
[[Category:McLaren Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:Motorsport announcers]]
[[Category:People educated at Wellington College, Berkshire]]
[[Category:People from Sutton, London]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from the London Borough of Sutton]]
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[[Category:Wolf Formula One drivers]]
[[Category:Deaths from coronary artery disease]]
[[Category:20th-century English sportsmen]]