Rush Quotes – ‘The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel.’

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Pierfrancesco Favino, David Calder, Natalie Dormer, Stephen Mangan, Christian McKay, Alistair Petrie, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Colin Stinton

OUR RATING: ★★★★☆

Story:

Bio-drama directed by Ron Howard based on the true story of the great rivalry between charismatic but arrogant Englishman James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth), and the disciplined Austrian perfectionist Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) in Formula 1 racing. The story follows their distinctly different personal styles on and off the track, their loves and the astonishing 1976 season in which both drivers were willing to risk everything to become world champion in a sport with no margin for error.

Our Favorite Quotes:

‘The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel, the more alive you are.’ - James Hunt (Rush) Click To Tweet ‘Happiness is the enemy. It weakens you. Puts doubt in your mind. Suddenly you have something to lose.’ - Niki Lauda (Rush) Click To Tweet ‘Every now and then it helps if people like you.’ - James Hunt (Rush) Click To Tweet ‘A wise man gets more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.’ - Niki Lauda (Rush) Click To Tweet

Best Quotes (Total Quotes: 116)

[first lines; German Grand Prix in Nürburgring, August 1976, Niki Lauda looks up at the sky as the dark clouds pass over]
Niki Lauda: [voice over] Twenty-five drivers start every season in Formula One, and each year two of us die. What kind of person does a job like this? Not normal man for sure. Who else? Rebels, lunatics, dreamers, people who are desperate to make a mark and are prepared to die trying.
[as Niki sits in his car looking apprehensively at the sky, we see James Hunt posing for reporters and is surrounded by women]
Niki Lauda: [voice over] My name is Niki Lauda, in racing people know me for two things; the first is my rivalry with him.
[Niki’s mechanic approaches Niki and says in Italian]
Ferrari Mechanic: [subtitled] Mass is going on slicks. You want to change?

[referring to James]
Niki Lauda: What about Hunt? Has he changed?
Ferrari Mechanic: No, he’s going on wet.
Niki Lauda: [voice over] I don’t know why it became such a big thing. We were just drivers, busting each other’s balls. To me this was perfectly normal, but other people saw it differently, that whatever was between us was big.

[as Niki watches James put on his visor, he replies in Italian to his mechanic]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Then we go on wets too.
[Niki pulls down his visor and puts on his helmet]
Niki Lauda: [voice over] The other thing I’m remembered for is what happened on 1st, August, 1976, when I was chasing him like an asshole.
[we see the race cars all lined and as the race commences, Niki and James, along with the other drivers, speed off]

[Six Years Earlier – James walks into a hospital barefoot, wearing his driving clothes and his nose bleeding, he walks up to a nurse]
James Hunt: I think the racetrack telephoned ahead that I was coming. Hunt. James Hunt.
[the nurse and everyone in the hospital reception looks stunned and stares at him]
James Hunt: What’s the matter? No one ever seen a spot of blood before?
Nurse Gemma: Are you alright?
James Hunt: Absolutely fine.

[James is in a booth with the nurse]
Nurse Gemma: We all thought you’d been in an accident.
James Hunt: I have. If you call a friendly disagreement with another driver an accident.
[James takes off the top part of his driving overalls and the nurse closes the curtain, she goes over to examine James]
Nurse Gemma: What did you disagree about?
James Hunt: None of your business.

[the nurse quickly takes off the plaster on the wound below his chest]
James Hunt: Ouch!
Nurse Gemma: Sorry.
James Hunt: His wife.
Nurse Gemma: That’s going to need a couple of stitches. It’s a nasty cut.
James Hunt: It was a nasty blow. Done with a bloody crowbar.
[the nurse continues to examine him and leans in to check his eyes]
Nurse Gemma: Why? What did you do?
James Hunt: Nothing. Only what she asked me to do.
Nurse Gemma: Which was?
James Hunt: I’d be happy to show you if you like.
[we then see James and the nurse start grabbing each other and kissing]

[as James and the nurse are having sex]
James Hunt: [voice over] I have a theory why women like racing drivers. It’s not because they respect what we do, driving round and round in circles. Mostly they think that’s pathetic, and they’re probably right. It’s our closeness to death. You see, the closer you are to death, the more alive you feel, the more alive you are. And they can see that in you, they feel that in you.
[we see James and the nurse having sex in the shower]
James Hunt: [voice over] My name is James Hunt, my father was a stock broker, my sister is a barrister, and my brother is an accountant. I, well, I do this. It’s a wonderful way to live, it’s the only way to drive. As if each day is your last.
[finally, late at night, we see James and the nurse drop into bed naked]

[Crystal Palace Race Track, London, 1970 – James drives the nurse in his mini to the race track, as they get out of the car]
Nurse Gemma: I’ve never been to a Grand Prix before.
James Hunt: Oh, no, you still haven’t. This is Formula Three.
Nurse Gemma: What’s that?
James Hunt: It’s a lower division, where idiots like me mess about in the hope of being talent spotted to race in Formula One. You look disappointed.
[James puts his arm around her as they start walking]
Nurse Gemma: No.
James Hunt: Ah, you only slept with me because you thought I was famous.
Nurse Gemma: That’s not true!
[James gives her quick kiss on the mouth]
James Hunt: Don’t worry, I will be one day.

[as they walk over to the pits; to his team]
James Hunt: Morning everyone. This is Nursie.
Nurse Gemma: Gemma.
James Hunt: Nursie, this is Bubbles Horsley, team manager.
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: How do you do?
[they shake hands]
Nurse Gemma: Bubbles?
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Yeah.
James Hunt: Doc Postlethwaite, our designer.
[to Gemma]
Harvey ‘Doc’ Postlethwaite: How do you do?
[they shake hands; James indicates to the man standing a little behind them]
James Hunt: Alexander, Lord Hesketh. The team’s owner.
[Hesketh walks over to them and extends his hand to Gemma]
Lord Hesketh: How do you do?
Nurse Gemma: Fine thanks.
[they shake hands and Hesketh kisses her hand; to James]
Lord Hesketh: Well done, Superstar.

[as James gets ready for the race, Gemma gets shown his race car]
Nurse Gemma: That the car?
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Yep, that’s her. Lotus 59, 1,000cc Cosworth MAE engine. She’s no beauty but it goes like the clappers.
[then she notices James being violently sick]
Lord Hesketh: Nothing to be worried about. Does it before every race. It’s good sign, actually. It means he’s stoked.
[James wipes his mouth and notices the other drivers, James then walks over to Hesketh]
Lord Hesketh: Alright, Superstar?
James Hunt: Never better, Patron.
Lord Hesketh: Have a gargle with this.
[he hands James a glass of champagne]
James Hunt: Thank you.
[James takes a quick swig of the champagne and hands the glass to Gemma]

[Hesketh hands him a joint]
Lord Hesketh: Quick poke of this.
[James then gets into his car and notices Niki for the first time getting ready to get into his race car]
James Hunt: Who’s that?
Harvey ‘Doc’ Postlethwaite: He’s new. Some German.
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Austrian. He’s been here since 5 A.M. walking the track. You might have to actually concentrate today, James.
[Hesketh holds out tiny cotton balls to Gemma]
Lord Hesketh: You’ll need these.
[he indicates for her to put them in her ears as James turns on the engine]
Lord Hesketh: Aah! What music! They could never have imagined, those pioneers who invented the automobile that it would possess us like this, our imaginations, our dreams. Nursie, men love women, but even more than that, men love cars.
[the race starts and both James and Niki roar off with the other drivers, Niki gets the first up and nearly wins when James forces Niki to spin out of the control, their cars both come to a stop with Niki’s heating, James manages to start his car again and speeds off to win the race]

[as James celebrates winning the race and drinking champagne, Niki calls out to James]
Niki Lauda: Hey, asshole!
[James looks over to Nikki]
Niki Lauda: It was my line! I had that corner.
James Hunt: Did you mean the one you spun out of and finished the other way? I think that corner had you.
Niki Lauda: That move was total suicide! What if I hadn’t braked? We’d have crashed.
James Hunt: No, no, but we didn’t, did we? Thanks to your impeccable survival instincts.
[James starts mocking Niki by making chicken noises and walking away]
Niki Lauda: Fuck you! What’s your name?
Lord Hesketh: James Simon Wallis Hunt. Remember it, my little Gerry friend.
James Hunt: Ya vol, remember the name.
[Niki raises his middle finger at them in anger]
James Hunt: It’s very simple, Hunt, it rhymes with cunt!
[Gemma, who standing next to James laughs]
James Hunt: A word that happens to describe you perfectly!
[Niki turns and walks away]
Nurse Gemma: Who is that?
James Hunt: I’ve no idea. He looks like a rat, doesn’t he?
[James puts his arm around Gemma’s shoulders and they walk off laughing]

[in Vienna, Niki is at his apartment getting dressed]
Niki Lauda: [voice over] In my home town, Vienna, my family is famous for one thing. Business. My grandfather was a businessman, my father, too. So when they heard I wanted to race cars for a living they had a few things to say.
[we see Niki meeting with his grandfather]
Lauda’s Grandfather: [subtitled] Never! Racing is for playboys and dilettantes. Frivolous amateurs with nothing in their heads. The name Lauda belongs with politicians and economists, on the front pages.
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] What if this is all I can do?
Lauda’s Grandfather: [subtitled] Then you need my money more than ever, so do as I say and follow me into the family business.
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Okay. Keep your money. Don’t invest in me. But when I’m world champion and my name is on the front pages too, you will regret it.
[Niki rises and starts walking off, his grandfather calls after him but Niki ignores him]
Niki Lauda: [voice over] So if my family wasn’t going to help me, I decided to risk everything and take out the loan myself. I found a Formula One team with an okay car and an owner who’d run out of money and was willing to accept my terms.

[at an award ceremony]
Presenter: And so, ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted to say that the winner of the Guild of Motoring Writers award Driver of the Year is James Hunt.
[the audience claps and James goes up onto the podium to accept his award, which is a trophy cup]
James Hunt: Thank you so much.
[he shakes the presenter’s hand and takes the cup, then starts giving his acceptance speech]
James Hunt: Um, yeah, my parents always wanted me to be a doctor, or a stockbroker or something. They gave me a first class education, but that all went terribly wrong and I ended up with you lot.
[the audience laughs]

[James steps down off the podium for a moment and takes the cigarette from one of the audience members sitting in the front row]
James Hunt: Thank you, I need it more than you do.
[the audience chuckles as James goes back up the podium and continues his speech]
James Hunt: I mean, I have a hot head, an inability to tolerate discipline…
[Bubbles puts up his hand in agreement]
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Yes!
Lord Hesketh: Very true!
James Hunt: I fall out with people left and right, the only creatures I’ve ever really loved or have treated honorably are Budgerigars.
[the audience laughs again]
James Hunt: In any normal area of life I’d be a, or I am a total liability, the only thing I’ve got going for me is I’m quick in a car. So thank you for this and for acknowledging that. I’m going to give it to my father and tell him to put it on the mantelpiece and imagine it as a first class degree in medicine.
[the audience cheers]

[afterwards, everyone is celebrating and dancing at a nightclub, Hesketh pours champagne in James’ trophy]
Lord Hesketh: Well done, Superstar. Another season like that and I’ll move you up to the big time.
[he hands James the trophy]
James Hunt: Come on, you don’t think I’m ready now?
Lord Hesketh: You are, I’m not! I’ve got to find you a car first.
[James drinks the champagne from his trophy and hands it to Bubbles]
James Hunt: Well, go on then. Chop chop!
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Don’t wait too long, you don’t want him to do what Lauda just did.
James Hunt: Why, what did he do?
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: He bought himself a drive in BRM.
James Hunt: Well how the hell did he do that? He’s a nobody, he’s never won a bloody thing!
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Apparently he took out a loan and bought his way in with two million Austrian schillings.
James Hunt: Jesus!

[Niki arrives at the Paul Ricard circuit and enters the building, he approaches the receptionist]
Niki Lauda: Niki Lauda. Here for pre-season testing. BRM?
Agnes Bonnet: Sign the release form, I’ll let them know you’re here.
[Niki watches as she makes the call; later outside the workshops Niki meets Louis Stanley]
Niki Lauda: Mr. Stanley.
Louis Stanley: Good morning.
[Stanley shakes Niki’s hand]
Niki Lauda: Good morning.
[Stanly turns to call out to Regazzoni]
Louis Stanley: Clay!

[to Niki]
Louis Stanley: Let me introduce you to our number one driver. Clay Regazzoni.
[Regazzoni walks up to Niki]
Clay Regazzoni: How are you?
[he shakes hands with Niki]
Niki Lauda: Good. A pleasure.
Louis Stanley: And these are your mechanics, reporting exclusively to you. As per contract.
[one of the mechanics walks up to Niki and they shake hands]
BRM Mechanic: Pleasure. Want to see the car?
Niki Lauda: Sure.

[the mechanics shows Niki his car, a red and white Marlboro sponsored car]
BRM Mechanic: There she is, P160.
Niki Lauda: Same as Regazzoni’s?
BRM Mechanic: Identical in every detail.
Niki Lauda: How much does she weigh?
BRM Mechanic: Six hundred kilos.
Niki Lauda: But that’s crazy. Why so heavy?
BRM Mechanic: It’s a V12 engine. That lump normally weighs a hundred and ninety kilos on its own.
Niki Lauda: Okay. What horse power are you getting? Four hundred and ninety?
BRM Mechanic: No, four-fifty.
Niki Lauda: Well, that not enough, it needs to be five hundred. And the engine needs to be twenty kilo lighter.
BRM Mechanic: We already tried.
Niki Lauda: Tried what?
BRM Mechanic: Everything. We replaced the entire exhaust system, it didn’t make a difference.
Niki Lauda: Are you using magnesium parts?
[the mechanic doesn’t respond realizing that he hadn’t considered this]

[Niki proceeds to make the mechanics work all night to strip and rebuild the car to his specifications]
Niki Lauda: Now the engine blocks, they need mounting and fixing, please. Strip them out also. When you’ve done that, we have to look at the aerodynamics. Front and rear end.
[after working all night, Niki and the mechanics step out of the workshop in the morning the mechanics look exhausted]
Niki Lauda: Okay, thank you. Good night.

[on the circuit Niki, Stanley and a mechanic watch on the sidelines as Regazzoni is testing his car round the circuit]
Niki Lauda: What was Regazzoni’s time?
Louis Stanley: One Fifty-three.
Niki Lauda: Okay, now put him in my car and he’ll go round two seconds faster.
[Stanley chuckles]
Louis Stanley: Well, that’s impossible.
BRM Mechanic: No chance.
[as Niki gets distracted by Agnes leaving the building, Stanley goes to the mechanic and says quietly]
Louis Stanley: Put Regazzoni in the car, see what happens.
[after the mechanic breaks the news to Regazzoni]
Clay Regazzoni: I don’t understand, why am I supposed to do this?
BRM Mechanic: I don’t know, Clay. He wants you to take it for a spin.
[Regazzoni reluctantly gets into Niki’s car and takes it for a test, as he goes past the finish line Stanley looks at his stop watch and then looks at Niki in disbelief]

[later Stanley walks into the workshop as Niki is talking with some of the mechanics]
Louis Stanley: Alright, what did you do to the car?
Niki Lauda: That’s information I will share with you under certain conditions only.
Louis Stanley: Go on.
Niki Lauda: A guaranteed place in the team, and a paid contract on equal terms with Regazzoni for two years.
Louis Stanley: Are you crazy? Clay’s a senior figure in Formula One. You’re just a rookie! Well the only reason we took you on is because of your pay.
Niki Lauda: Well, as of now if you want me to stay you’ll rip up the contract. I don’t pay you a cent.
Louis Stanley: That’s outrageous!
Niki Lauda: Was he quicker in my car? He was, wasn’t he?
[Stanley doesn’t reply but looks away]
Niki Lauda: Did he go two seconds faster?
[Stanley hesitates for a moment before replying]
Louis Stanley: Two point three.
Niki Lauda: So, have a think, work out your priorities and get back to me.
[Niki waves goodbye to the two mechanics he was talking to, they wave back and Niki walks out]

[as Regazzoni is walking into the circuit building he sees Niki walk past him to leave, he stops and turns]
Clay Regazzoni: Hey, Niki?
[Niki stops and turns to face him]
Clay Regazzoni: I know that you’re going to say it’s none of my business.
Niki Lauda: What?
Clay Regazzoni: If it’s the Track Manager you’re taking on a date tonight…
Niki Lauda: It’s none of your business.
[Niki turns and starts walking off]
Clay Regazzoni: Okay, but if you want my advice, I’d let this one go.
[Niki turns and gives him a questioning look]

Clay Regazzoni: I’m not questioning your taste, she is a great girl. But Agnes’ last boyfriend was a British Formula Two driver who has a reputation for two things. For being a little crazy on the track, and for going all night and all day and all night again in bed. He’s a good driver, but an immortal fuck, apparently. I don’t know about you, but that’s not an act I’d like to follow.
[he chuckles]
Clay Regazzoni: But maybe that doesn’t bother you.
[Niki looks a bit thrown]
Niki Lauda: What’s his name, the driver?
Clay Regazzoni: Hunt. James Hunt.
[Niki turns and starts walking off]
Clay Regazzoni: You see, you share information, I share information. That’s what team-mates are for.
[they look at each other for a moment before Niki turns and continues walking away]

[James has been blindfolded and is being led by Hesketh and Bubbles]
James Hunt: Where the hell are we going?
Lord Hesketh: Just keep them closed! Wait for it. Wait for it.
[they stop and Hesketh removes James’ blindfold]
Lord Hesketh: There.
[James sees a new white racing car]
Lord Hesketh: What do you say?
James Hunt: She’s Formula One?
Lord Hesketh: Yes. She is, Superstar. Your brother and I got together with the beancounters. And since the economics of F1 are not so significantly different to the economics of Formula Two, well we thought, it we were going to be losing money we might as well be doing it on the big roulette table, in Formula One!
James Hunt: You fat little inbred beauty! Come here!
[James grabs Hesketh and plants a kiss on his mouth, the others laugh]

Peter Hunt: And to credit where it’s due, we got the idea from Niki.
James Hunt: Who?
[James sits in the car, taking in the feel of it]
Lord Hesketh: Lauda. Bought his way in rather mess about in lower divisions. I thought, “Bloody hell, he’s right!” No sponsorships, Superstar. I hope you approve. No vulgar logos for cigarettes or condoms. Just plain white with the flag. Oh, and racing overalls…
[one of mechanics throws his him the red overall, Hesketh holds it up to show James]
Lord Hesketh: Which reads, “Sex. Breakfast of Champions.”
[everyone laughs]
James Hunt: So when do we start?
Lord Hesketh: Soon as you’re ready.
James Hunt: Ready? I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.

[at the race circuit in the village of Watkins Glen James arrives with Hesketh and his team by helicopter, reporters have gathered, we see one of them commentating as he faces a camera]
Reporter: When the season started, people wondered whether Lord Hesketh and his team of upper class enthusiasts were bringing glamor to the racing community or just comedy. Certainly it was the first time anyone had seen a butler serving oysters and caviar in the pits. But they have made quiet an impact; sixth in France, fourth in Britain and third in Holland.

[James, Hesketh and his team are drinking in the background, suddenly an announcement is made that an accident has occurred on the race track, everyone looks distressed]
Reporter: And reports are reaching me that there has been a serious accident in qualifying. Uh, the identity of the driver we don’t currently have at the moment, but as you can tell from all the activity going on behind me towards the track, it’s clearly a grave incident indeed. But of course we’ll have more information for you as and when we get it. This is the side of Formula One nobody likes to see.
[James and Bubbles rush over towards the accident, as James sees the wreckage he clearly looks shaken and upset]

[later in the pits, James is dressed in his overalls watching the news report of the accident on the TV when he suddenly becomes violently sick; we see Niki dressed in his overall making his way to his car; back to James talking to Bubbles]
James Hunt: It’s terrible, they should cancel the race.
[Niki comes up behind him]
Niki Lauda: Why? He made a mistake, went into the corner too fast. It’s his fault.
[Niki carries on walking ahead]
James Hunt: Is that right?
[Niki stops and turns to face him]
Niki Lauda: It’s obvious, look at the tire marks!
James Hunt: So says the nobody who had to pay for his own drive. How’s that working out for you, by the way?
Niki Lauda: Fine. How is it at the back?
James Hunt: Not planning on being there for long.
[Niki gives a small chuckle, turns and walks off]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Asshole.
[as he watches Niki walk off, James turns to Bubbles]
James Hunt: Asshole.

[in Hesketh’s workshop, James is lying on the ground with his eyes closed visualizing himself racing and talking out loud as he goes through the motions of driving when he’s suddenly interrupted]
Suzy Miller: Is Alexander around?
[James opens his eyes and gets up]
James Hunt: Uh, yes. He was, uh, he went back to the house to take a call, he’ll be back shortly.
Suzy Miller: He only wanted to show me his pride and joy.
[she indicates to the race car]
Suzy Miller: Rhymes with ‘boy’ if you ask me, and ‘toy’.
[she walks up to the car and touches it]
Suzy Miller: God, it’s so flimsy. For something that costs so much, there’s no comfort, no protection. Nothing.
James Hunt: Well, it’s just a little coffin, really. Surrounded by high-octane fuel, in here…
[he touches the tank]
James Hunt: …being driven round at hundred and seventy miles per hour. To all intents and purposes, this thing’s a bomb with wheels.

Suzy Miller: You’re James, aren’t you?
James Hunt: Yes.
Suzy Miller: You fit the description.
James Hunt: Is that right?
Suzy Miller: Suzie. Friend of Alex’s.
[she walks towards him extending her hand]
James Hunt: Yeah, I know exactly
[James quickly wipes his hand on a cloth and shakes her hand]

[as James is talking to Suzy, two of the mechanics in the background are looking at a newspaper which has photo of Suzy with heading ‘Top model Suzy sparkles in London nightlife’]
James Hunt: What was the description?
Suzy Miller: Mostly positive in terms of appearance. Negative only in terms of character. I’ve been told to avoid you.
James Hunt: By whom?
Suzy Miller: Alexander. He says you’re a bad boy.
James Hunt: Alexander doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I was, but not anymore. The new me is very professional. Early to bed, early to rise. All very dull, and according to the team, ‘ze best vay to keep beating ze gustava.’
Suzy Miller: Is that what you were doing when I came in?
James Hunt: Yes, a visualization technique. Memorizing the circuit, in this case, uh, Monaco, which is up next.
[he looks at her and smiles]

James Hunt: Personally I’ve always been a great believer in getting there on the day, putting my foot down and playing chicken with everyone else.
[Suzy laughs]
James Hunt: But they don’t want me doing that anymore. They want my body like a temple and my mind like a monk.
Suzy Miller: And what about your soul? Your hear?
James Hunt: Well, they’ve got ideas about that too. They want me to stop messing around, settle down and get married with the next nice girl I meet. They think it would be good for me.
Suzy Miller: Hmm. What do you think?
James Hunt: Sounds fucking awful.
[Suzy laughs again]
James Hunt: But since they’re right about most things, they’re probably right about that too.
Suzy Miller: Hmm.
James Hunt: You don’t fancy getting married, do you?
[they look at each other and laugh]

[we see James and Suzy stepping out of the church after getting married, they kiss and pose for photos; later James notices Hesketh looking a bit serious]
James Hunt: What’s going on with him?
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Nothing. Nothing. Didn’t want to ruin your day. It’s, uh, it’s the kraut.
James Hunt: Well, what about him?
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: He’s just been signed by Ferrari.
James Hunt: You’re kidding me? Jesus, how did that happen? Did he buy his way in there too?
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Well, the old man took Regazzoni back and he insisted on it apparently. He says that Niki’s a genius at setting up cars.

[at the Ferrari test tracks in Fionaro, Niki pulls over after going round the track, his mechanic walk over to him]
Niki Lauda: It’s terrible. Drives like a pig.
Lauda’s Mechanic: Oh, you can’t say that.
Niki Lauda: Why not?
Lauda’s Mechanic: It’s a Ferrari!
Niki Lauda: It’s a shitbox! It understeers like crazy and the weight distribution is a disaster. It’s amazing, all these facilities and you make a piece of crap like this!

[at a press conference Enzo Ferrari, Niki and Regazzoni]
Enzo Ferrari: [subtitled] We are happy to welcome back to the Ferrari family our good friend Clay Regazzoni, and to introduce Niki Lauda from Austria.
[later we see Clay driving in his car in a country road with Niki sat in the passenger seat]
Clay Regazzoni: “The Ferrari family”. “Our good friend Clay Regazzoni”. You are family and friend to the Commendatore as long as you win. The minute you don’t, ciao-ciao.
Niki Lauda: Totally understand, it’s business. I would do the same.
Clay Regazzoni: But it isn’t just business, is it? What we do? It’s passion, love. Which is why we’re prepared to risk our lives for it.
Niki Lauda: Not me. If I had more talent or could earn better money with something else, I would.
Clay Regazzoni: How do you know you will make money here? You haven’t yet.
Niki Lauda: Not yet, but I will. If you can, I can.
[Regazzoni stares at Niki

Clay Regazzoni: You know, are you ever not an asshole?
Niki Lauda: Why am I an asshole?
Clay Regazzoni: Well…
Niki Lauda: You know, by now I’m both bigger than you and better at setting up a car. You can’t deal with it, surely you’re the asshole.
Clay Regazzoni: Screw you.
[Regazzoni pulls up outside a large house where a party is taking place]
Clay Regazzoni: I brought you along today because you seem like a lonely kind of guy. I thought if I introduce you to some nice people that could rub off on you. Forget it. Make your own friends.
[Clay gets out of the car]
Niki Lauda: Come on, Clay! I’m sorry!
[Clay shuts the door and goes over to join a group of people, Niki watches him being taken inside the house]

[Niki is left outside the house, he peers inside one of the windows and sees people enjoying the party inside then he notices a beautiful woman walking out of the house and going over to her car]
Niki Lauda: Are you leaving?
Marlene Lauda: Yes.
Niki Lauda: Can you give me a lift to the nearest town? Anywhere with a train station.
Marlene Lauda: Sure. Cechna is half and hours drive, get in.
[Niki walks over to her car and gets into the car]

[as Marlene drives them down the country road Niki watches her as she sings along to the song playing on the radio, he hears something and then he turns off the radio]
Marlene Lauda: What are you doing?
Niki Lauda: Did you hear that noise when we accelerate?
Marlene Lauda: No.
Niki Lauda: Your fan belt is loose.
Marlene Lauda: My what?
Niki Lauda: When you break, your foot goes all the way down. Which means there’s air in the system.
Marlene Lauda: Anything else?
Niki Lauda: No, apart from the rear brakes are one out. And the front right tire is a bit soft, which explains why you’re weaving so much.
Marlene Lauda: Hm. How can you tell?
Niki Lauda: My ass.
Marlene Lauda: Sorry?!
Niki Lauda: God gave me an okay mind, but a really good ass which can feel everything in a car.

Marlene Lauda: You don’t know what you’re talking about, this car’s fine. It just had a service a week ago.
Niki Lauda: Not a good one.
Marlene Lauda: It was a very good one, very expensive. This car is as good as new. Relax.
[she turns on the radio again; a little while later we see the car has broken down on the side of the road, the bonnet is up as Niki tries to fix it]
Marlene Lauda: You’re not in a hurry, are you?
Niki Lauda: No. As long as I’m back in Maranello Monday morning.
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] We can speak German. You’re from Vienna , aren’t you?
Niki Lauda: Yeah.
Marlene Lauda: Marlene.
[she extends her hand and he shakes it]
Niki Lauda: Niki.

[unable to fix Marlene’s car, Niki walks out on to the road and sticks his thumb out, but the car driving up just passes them by]
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] How do you know Curd?
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Who’s Curd?
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] Curd Jürgens, the host.
[Niki shakes his head]
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] He is, or was, my boyfriend. There is something very attractive about an older man. But when they behave like a frightened child, I must have been mad.
[they notice a car driving towards them]
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] Let me do this. Otherwise we’ll never get out of here. We’re in Italy, after all.
[Marlene walks onto the side of the road and sticks out her thumb, the passing car comes to a screeching halt and stops, the car reverses back towards Marlene and Niki]

[to Niki]
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] Not bad, eh? Three seconds. Admit it, you’re impressed.
[two Italian men get out of the car]
Marlene Lauda: Ciao, Regazzi.
Italian Man #1: Buongiorno, Signora.
[they walk straight past Marlene and approach Niki]
Italian Man #2: Excuse, Niki Lauder?
Niki Lauda: Yes.
[one of the Italian men claps in excitement and the other one embraces Niki]

Italian Man #1: [subtitled] Do you need a lift?
Niki Lauda: Actually, we do, yeah.
Italian Man #1: It’s my honor, Niki, please.
[he starts leading Niki towards his car]
Niki Lauda: Thank you. Thank you.
Italian Man #1: My car is your car. On one condition, huh? It’s a piece of shit, it’s dog shit, but if you would drive it, you make my life. Huh, Niki, yeah?
[Marlene stares at them not understanding why Niki is known by the two men]

[as Niki is driving the two Italian men’s car, Marlene is sat in the front and the two Italian men are sat in the back seat]
Italian Man #1: [subtitled] No one will believe Niki Lauder is driving my car.
[the two men show their excitement]
Italian Man #2: Niki Lauda, Niki Lauda, Niki Lauda…!
[Marlene watches them still not understanding their excitement]
Marlene Lauda: Will someone please tell me what’s going on?

[to Niki]
Marlene Lauda: Who are you? Should I know you?
Italian Man #1: What? You don’t know? He’s Niki Lauda, Formula One driver. He just sign with Ferrari.
Marlene Lauda: Him?
Italian Man #1: Yes!
Marlene Lauda: Impossible.
Italian Man #1: Why?
Marlene Lauda: Well, you know, Formula One drivers they have long hair, are sexy, their shirts are open to here.
Niki Lauda: Thank you.

Marlene Lauda: Yes. Anyway, look at the way he’s driving, like an old man.
Niki Lauda: There’s no need to drive fast, it just increases the percentage of risk. We’re not in a hurry, I’m not being paid. Right now, with zero incentive or reward, why would I drive fast?
[Marlene leans across a little closer to Niki]
Marlene Lauda: Because I’m asking you to.
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] And do you always get what you want?
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] Usually.
[Niki looks at her for a moment then slams his foot down on the pedal and speeds ahead making Marlene shocked and amazed at the same time while the two Italian men are yelling in excitement as Niki accelerates down the road weaving past cars]

[October 1975, at the Watkins Glen race circuit, it’s the middle of a Grand Prix and we see Niki driving at maximum speed]
TV Commentator: This is an incredible battle, with Niki Lauda in the red Ferrari and James Hunt in the white Hesketh. Lauda attacking Hunt, Lauda gets through on the inside, goes wide at the exit! Hunt has passed again!
[Marlene is watching the match on the TV in the pit and Suzy is watching the race on the TV in her make-up room]
TV Commentator: Once more Lauda tries to sneak up the inside. They’re absolutely side by side, wheel to wheel, so evenly matched. Fantastic battle between these two great drivers. Hunt is now ahead once more, but Lauda’s coming back again! Now Lauda once more sneaks on the inside and again he runs wide! Again the Hesketh is able to get back.
We’re at the closing track of this race here at Watkins Glen, they’re coming down the hill.

[suddenly we see Hunt losing speed and going off track]
TV Commentator: And Hunt’s got a problem! Hunt pulls across to the left, Lauda goes ahead on his own.
[James is shown getting out of his car and walking off]
TV Commentator: A sad end to a wonderful battle. Hunt pushing up the bar. The checkered flag is waiting for Lauda and the Ferrari.
[Niki passes the flag and wins the race]
TV Commentator: The title going to Niki Lauda who wins the race, who wins the world championship.
[as Hunt walks off the circuit he watches Lauda getting all the glory and celebrating; Niki turns to Marlene]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Do I look like a racing driver now?
[Marlene laughs and then kisses him]

[later, as everyone is celebrating, James notices Niki signing autographs, he walks over to Niki]
James Hunt: Congratulations.
Niki Lauda: Thank you.
[Niki calls out to Marlene who’s talking to some people]
James Hunt: Though with a car like that the rest of us don’t stand much of a chance, do we?
Niki Lauda: You think the make of the car had something to do with me winning?
James Hunt: Oh, come on, Niki. You’re in a Ferrari, I’m in a Hesketh. Equal terms the way it was in Formula Three, I’d beat you and you know it.
Niki Lauda: Never. You might win one race, maybe two, because you’re aggressive. But in the long run, over the course of the season, no chance.
James Hunt: And why is that?
Niki Lauda: Because to be a champion it takes more than just being quick, it’s the whole picture.
James Hunt: Ah.
Niki Lauda: You’re just a charger with a party act, making sure everybody like you.
[James laughs]
James Hunt: Try saying that and tell me you’re not jealous.
[Nicki chuckles]

Niki Lauda: Why would I be jealous? Think about it. All that affection, all those smiles, is a sign of their disrespect. They don’t fear you. Whereas compare that to me…
James Hunt: Yes, compared to you whom no one likes.
Niki Lauda: Right.
James Hunt: Not even his own team-mates.
Niki Lauda: Right. Because I’m a serious guy. I go to bed early, look after myself, look after my car.
James Hunt: Yes, you’re very well behaved.
Niki Lauda: Go to work, kick ass, then after the race I go home instead of going to bars and doing all this bullshit with all these assholes.
James Hunt: Assholes?
Niki Lauda: You should go home more often too.

Niki Lauda: I heard you got married.
James Hunt: Yes, I did.
Niki Lauda: So where is she, this mysterious wife?
James Hunt: In New York, working.
Niki Lauda: Oh. You know, I’ve never seen you with her once.
James Hunt: No?
[Niki shakes his head]
James Hunt: Well, maybe that’s because you’re always at home on your own, looking after yourself, being a good little boy.
[James starts walking away]
Niki Lauda: Take a drink on me, James.
[James turns for a moment as Marlene joins Niki]
James Hunt: Thank you, Niki. I might just have two.

[James drives over to Hesketh’s and walks towards the workshop]
James Hunt: Right, Bubbles! Whatever it takes to beat that prick next year, just say it. Your word is my command. There are no lengths to which I won’t go, where I’m needed.
[James stops and looks around the workshop, everything is being packed]
James Hunt: What the hell’s going on? Where is everybody?
[James notices Bubbles expression]
James Hunt: What’s the matter?

[James walks into Hesketh’s grand living room where he is sat by the fire drinking tea]
Lord Hesketh: Do you know what the date is today?
James Hunt: Yes, it’s, uh, November the 14th. Why?
Lord Hesketh: Do you, uh, have any idea of the significance of that date?
James Hunt: Oh, I don’t know. It’s time to start killing pheasants?
Lord Hesketh: Actually it’s the deadline for securing sponsorship for the forthcoming Formula One season.
James Hunt: Yes?
Lord Hesketh: Which elapsed at midnight last night and we didn’t attract any.
James Hunt: Well, so? We aren’t looking for sponsorship. Well, like you said, condoms and cigarettes. Vulgar, right?
Lord Hesketh: Right. Except we are. Or were. I’ve made something of a miscalculation. The economics, Formula One, realities thereof. Turns out not like the lower divisions at all.
James Hunt: What are you saying?
Lord Hesketh: I’m saying it’s over, Superstar. The banks have stepped in, started laying everyone off. Probably have to sell this place.
James Hunt: Oh, Christ!

[at home, James drowns his sorrows in booze and cigarettes, he then calls his brother]
James Hunt: I need a drive, Pete. I need you to find me a drive. What about Lotus?
Peter Hunt: You don’t want to know.
James Hunt: Well, actually I do.
Peter Hunt: Okay, uh, they felt your reputation preceded you.
James Hunt: Well, what does that mean?
[Peter’s other phone starts ringing]
Peter Hunt: It’s my other line. I’ll get back to you.
[Peter hangs up the phone and picks up the other phone]
Peter Hunt: Peter Hunt.
[as Peter’s hung up on him]
James Hunt: Fuck.
[James bangs the phone down]

[Suzy looks at James apprehensively]
Suzy Miller: Don’t worry, something will turn up.
[James finishes his bottle of beer walks into the living room and pours himself some scotch]
Suzy Miller: I doubt that will help in the meantime. Why don’t we go away at the weekend, skiing? Before I go back to New York.
[James doesn’t reply and looks away]
Suzy Miller: Talk to me, James. Don’t make a stranger of me.
James Hunt: Jesus. You know, Suzy, don’t be a stranger and invite me skiing when they know I haven’t got a fucking drive?
[Suzy walks over to him, but James stands and moves to the other side of the room taking the bottle of scotch with him]
Suzy Miller: I can’t watch this.
[Suzy turns and starts walking away]

James Hunt: What were you hoping for anyway? A well adjusted knight in shining armor?
Suzy Miller: No danger of that.
James Hunt: You know, let me give you some advice.
Suzy Miller: I’m all ears.
James Hunt: Don’t go to men who are willing to kill themselves driving in circles looking for normality.
Suzy Miller: I never expected normality. God knows I walked into this with my eyes open. I just hoped I’d married someone who was half as impressive on the inside as he is on the outside!
James Hunt: Only if there’s something behind the facade.
Suzy Miller: Oh, James.
James Hunt: Fuck off to New York, dear. There must be a moisturizer or an eye shadow somewhere that needs your vapid mush to flog it.
[looking visibly upset, Suzy turns and walks out]

[the next morning, James who looks like he’s been up all night drinking, hears the phone ringing, he picks up the phone]
James Hunt: Hello?
Peter Hunt: Hi, James, it’s Peter. Something’s up with McLaren, what have you heard?
James Hunt: Uh, nothing, why?
Peter Hunt: I heard Emerson’s off. He’s dumped them in it.
James Hunt: Jesus, get me in there, Pete. Say anything, just get me in that room.

[James drives over to McLaren’s headquarters and meets with the managers of the McLaren racing team]
Teddy Mayer: I’ll come straight to the point, our esteemed lead driver…
Alastair Caldwell: Fitti-fucking-Paldi.
Teddy Mayer: He’s ditched us for another team at the last minute.
Alastair Caldwell: Caught the fucking suit cover.
Teddy Mayer: And we need to replace him.
Alastair Caldwell: ASA-fucking-P.
Teddy Mayer: Fortunately, a few hands have already gone up. Good people.
John Hogan: Jackie Ickx.

James Hunt: I’m quicker than Jackie.
Teddy Mayer: But he’s consistent. Dependable.
Alastair Caldwell: A grown up.
James Hunt: Right, and will he feel that gap when no one else will? Would he put his life on the line the day it really matters?
John Hogan: Sponsors like him.
James Hunt: What do you want, a driver or a brush salesman?
Teddy Mayer: We want to be successful.
James Hunt: Yes, so do I. But that means beating Niki Lauda, not being a show pony for sponsors.
Teddy Mayer: I heard this thing about Niki.
Alastair Caldwell: Everyone has.
Teddy Mayer: You really think you can beat him?
James Hunt: I’d beat him in a McLaren. It’s the only car out there as quick as the Ferrari. Which is why I’m here begging. Look I’ll do whatever you ask, I’ll put on a tie, I’ll smile for sponsors, say the right things. I can beat this guy, trust me. Just give me the drive.

[Mayer, Caldwell and Hogan have Bubbles on the phone confirming James’ talent as a driver]
Anthony ‘Bubbles’ Horsley: Yeah, yeah, he can be a loose cannon. And, yeah, he will drive you all mad, but in terms of raw talent and right stuff, there is no better driver in the world. He’s the real thing, Teddy. It’s what we all came into this for. Nine days out of ten you’ll be pulling your hair out, but on that tenth day James will be invincible and that is the day you will wish you had him in your car. You’ll never win the championship with Jackie Ickx, you just might with James.

[at the 1976 season begins, the race takes place in Brazil]
TV Commentator: Welcome, to Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the Interlagos circuit for the first race in the 1976 Formula One season where the main news is that James Hunt has qualified fastest, beating Niki Lauda’s Ferrari to pole position by just two hundredths of a second.
[the cars are all lined up at the start position with Niki’s next to James’, as Niki walks past James shows his car off to Niki]
James Hunt: New car.
Niki Lauda: I noticed.
James Hunt: Pole position.
Niki Lauda: I noticed that too.
James Hunt: Level playing field now, my ratty little friend.
Niki Lauda: Yeah, let’s see where we are after lap one. Let’s see where we are in five races time.
[James smiles arrogantly to himself]
TV Commentator: Hunt has the pick lane pole position which should give him the best chance of out cracking Lauda’s Ferrari. There have been moments of doubt about whether Lauda had a serious challenger to this season, Hunt and his McLaren has certainly given us the answer.
[we’re told Lauda wins the race in Brazil and Hunt goes out with damaged engine]

[the 2nd race of the season takes place in South Africa]
TV Commentator: Here in South Africa, James Hunt is determined to make amends after that disastrous retirement in Brazil. And it’s Lauda who takes the flag here in Kyalami, James Hunt comes second to confirm his championship challenge at last and score his first point of the season.
[as Niki and James are on the podium accepting their 1st and 2nd positions, James leans close to Niki]
James Hunt: You know that wind you can feel is me breathing down your neck. Next time I’ll have you.
Niki Lauda: We’ll see in Spain.
[in Spain, James wins the race and Lauda is second]

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TV Commentator: James Hunt proudly takes his first victory of the season here in Spain after a brilliant run.
[as they are standing at the podium James leans down to Niki]
James Hunt: It was only a matter of time.
[Niki walks off looking frustrated, James’ victory in Spain doesn’t last long after he is disqualified due to the back of his car being deemed too wide]
Spanish Official: It’s too wide. Disqualified.
James Hunt: What?!
Spanish Official: You’re disqualified.
James Hunt: How can we be disqualified?

[later that night, James watches as Mayer gives instructions to the mechanics to adjust the car]
Teddy Mayer: Just make it narrower, I don’t care how.
Alastair Caldwell: New rear suspension, new wishbones.
Teddy Mayer: I want to make sure this thing is legal. No doubts.
Alastair Caldwell: Well then, we better move the old coolers back to the old position.
[James turns and walks off in frustration]
James Hunt: Fuck!

[the Grand Prix continues in Monaco]
TV Commentator: And with Hunt disqualified from his Spain win, his championship here is not going well. And now he’s pulled out here!
[James car starts smoking]
TV Commentator: And James Hunt is out!
[as James walks off the race track he’s stopped by a reporter]
Reporter: Can you tell us what happened?
James Hunt: Sure, magic. We’ve taken a great car, great piece of engineering and overnight turned it to a big huge stinking turd.
[James walks off]

[at the race in Belgium James’ engine blows up and he’s out of the race again; after getting out of his car James rushes in anger to Mayer and Caldwell]
James Hunt: What the hell have you done?! The car is fucking undriveable!
Teddy Mayer: James, look, if there’s a problem with the car, we’ll find it and fix it.
James Hunt: The car is a piece of shit!
Alastair Caldwell: We will sort it out!
James Hunt: They’re killing us out there!

[later Niki and James are being interviewed by reporters separately]
Reporter #1: But it has been a good race for you, huh, Niki?
Niki Lauda: Its proved to everyone that the quickest car happens to be a legal car.
Reporter #2: James, you’re fifty points behind Lauda in the championship. You’ve had another retirement today, what’s going wrong?
James Hunt: Well, it’s dirty politics and dirty tricks, that’s what’s going wrong.
[later we see Niki and James signing autographs for the crowds]
TV Commentator: So as we approach the half way games at this year’s Formula One season, Ferrari and Niki Lauda seem clearly on top, while James Hunt and McLaren are struggling.

[we see James and Niki both signing autographs as they walk side by side each other]
Niki Lauda: So, five races in. How’s it going so far?
James Hunt: Just fine. Just a little problem with an Austrian rat and his team of Italian cheats who have destroyed my car.
Niki Lauda: What are you talking about?
James Hunt: I’m talking about the race in Spain that I won.
Niki Lauda: Yeah, in a car which is not legal.
James Hunt: Five eighths of an inch too high, you know that doesn’t have the slightest effect on speed. But you complained and your team of lawyers leaned on the authorities and now we’ve had to rebuild the car which has become a monster.
Niki Lauda: At least it’s a legal monster.
James Hunt: So you’ve had to resort to cheating.
Niki Lauda: You’re driving an illegal car and you call me the cheat! That’s pathetic. Rules are rules.
James Hunt: Yes, and rats are rats.

[James signs his last autograph]
James Hunt: Thank you. Thank you.
[he starts walking off, Niki follows behind him]
Niki Lauda: Do you really think it upsets me, James? Calling me a rat because I look like one? I don’t mind it. Rats are ugly, sure, and nobody likes them, but they’re very intelligent and they have a strong survival instinct.
James Hunt: Wonderful.
[James turns and continues to walk off, Niki turns to Marlene]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Marlene, come. Leave this jerk alone.
[Niki gets into his car he says loudly to James]
Niki Lauda: No wonder she left him.
[James stops and looks at him for a moment before walking off]

[to Mayer and Caldwell as James enters McLaren’s pits]
James Hunt: Anyone seen Suzy? She was supposed to be here today.
[Caldwell grabs a newspaper]
Alastair Caldwell: We, uh, didn’t want to tell you before the race.
James Hunt: Tell me what?
[James takes the newspaper and sees the headline ‘Suzy Joins the Burton Show’ with a photo of James and Suzy shown as being split]
James Hunt: Jesus.
[James reads the article which confirms Suzy is having an affair with Richard Burton]

[James meets Suzy in a restaurant in New York, he notices she’s wearing a lavish diamond necklace]
James Hunt: Is that from him?
Suzy Miller: Yep.
[he notices the reporters outside looking in through the window for them]
James Hunt: So when did all this start?
Suzy Miller: That weekend I went skiing. Why have you come here, James?
James Hunt: I’ve come to get you back.
Suzy Miller: You don’t want me back. You never wanted to be married in the first place.
James Hunt: Yes, I did.
Suzy Miller: Oh, come on, James. You did it because you hoped it might change you, settle you down, help with the racing.
James Hunt: No. No, I didn’t.
Suzy Miller: And who knows, if it had been just the drinking, or the dope, or the infidelity, or the moods, it might even have worked. But when it’s all of them…
James Hunt: Yes, I know, I’m terrible.
Suzy Miller: No, you’re not terrible. You’re just who you are at this point in your life. God help anyone who wants more.
James Hunt: And Richard Burton, will he be able to give you more? You know he has quite a bad boy reputation himself.
Suzy Miller: What’s important is how it feels to me, and it feels like he adores me.

[as James leaves the restaurant he’s surrounded by the reporters]
James Hunt: Well, it’s all very amicable. My wife has found herself a new backer, I mean, lover, which makes her happy. And, uh, Mr. Burton has found a way of feeling young again, which makes him happy. Let’s hope his pockets are deep, they’ll need to be. And I’ve found a way to be single and have an ex-wife without it costing me a penny. Which goes down as the biggest winning in my career.
[the reporters laugh]
James Hunt: I have a flight to catch.
[later, as James is on his flight home he has sex with the stewardess to drown his sorrows]

[at the Grand Prix in France on the Paul Ricard Circuit]
TV Commentator: We haven’t seen this sort of intensity from James Hunt all season long. Reports have been coming out of McLaren camp all week that their car is now fully legal and faster than ever.
[Hunt goes on to win the race; next is the British Grand Prix]
TV Commentator: Hunt has really closed the gap on Lauda as they head in to end the race. Niki Lauda is under real pressure from James Hunt as they go up the hill into the corner.
[as James’ and Niki’s car get round the corner]
TV Commentator: And Hunt is in front of Lauda!
[Hunt then goes on to win the race; after the celebrations James is interviewed by a reporter]
TV Reporter: James, at the moment you’ve got a terrific edge over the rest of the field, how have you achieved this advantage?
James Hunt: Big balls.
[James smiles into the camera]

[at the McLaren’s pits James and the others watch the FIA announcement on the small TV]
FIA Official: Following an inquiry into the disqualification of driver James Hunt from the Spanish Grand Prix, it has been decided to overturn this disqualification and to restore his victory, and reinstate his points.
[everyone in the McLaren’s camp celebrates and cheer; later in a press room James is being interviewed by reporters]
TV Reporter: James, a few weeks ago, you were out of the running for this season completely, now you’re right back in it. What’s changed?
James Hunt: Uh, well, it’s a combination of factors, not all of which I’m prepared to discuss here. But, uh, justice being done re the disqualification in Spain helps, and having my car back at its best again.

[Niki is being interviewed at the same time by German reporters]
German Reporter: [subtitled] In theory it’s possible for James Hunt to catch you. Are you worried?
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Not at all. For him to catch me, he would have to win a lot of races, and pigs would have to fly.
[Niki and the German reporter laugh]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a family matter to attend to.
[Niki turns and walks off]

[Niki and Marlene are sat waiting to get married at a registry office]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] I should warn you, I’m not going to be any good at this. “Bringing flowers” and “holding hands”. I’ll probably forget your birthday. But if I’m going to do this with anyone, it might as well be you.
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] My God, a poet!
[she chuckles, then later they get married in a small private ceremony and after the vows they kiss]

[at their honeymoon in Ibiza they have some fun swimming naked in the pool, later that night Marlene finds Niki staring out the balcony window in deep thought]
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] What’s the matter?
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Happiness is the enemy. It weakens you. Puts doubt in your mind. Suddenly you have something to lose.
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] When you call happiness an enemy, then it’s too late. Then you’ve already lost.
[Niki looks at her and nods his head]

[at the German Grand Prix free practice session]
TV Commentator: Welcome to Nürburgring. This is a fourteen point two miles track, complete with a hundred and eighty-five corners and bends.
[we see one of the race having an accident, later we see him being carried away on a stretcher moaning in pain as his leg is badly broken, his bones sticking out, James an Niki watch as the ambulance takes the racer away; later as Niki is walking off he gets tracked down by a fan]
German Fan: [subtitled] Niki, an autograph?
Niki Lauda: Yeah.
[Niki signs in his book and hands it back to the fan and starts walking off]
German Fan: [subtitled] With the date, please.
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] The date? Why?
German Fan: [subtitled] You never know. Could be your last.
[Niki stops turns to look at the man in anger for a moment before walking away]

[on the day of the race, 1st August 1976]
TV Commentator: Welcome to the Nürburgring, the most dangerous circuit on this season’s calendar. In Formula One it is known as “the graveyard”. The weather conditions are far from ideal and latest reports indicate there is no relief in sight.
[later Niki holds a meeting with the other racers and the FIA Officials, he holds up his hand]
FIA Official: Gentlemen. Gentlemen, please be quite.
[the drivers in the room quite down]
FIA Official: Niki Lauda.
Niki Lauda: Thank you.
[Niki stands]
Niki Lauda: I called this meeting because as you all drivers know the Nürburgring is the most stupid, barbaric, outdated and dangerous track in the world. We’ve all seen the rain that has been falling today, now those of you with experience know the Ring needs perfect conditions to be even remotely acceptable in terms of risk. Now today with the rain is anything but perfect, so I called this meeting to take a vote to cancel the race.
[there’s a ripple of astonished reaction from the drivers in the room]

Niki Lauda: There would be no change to the situation as far as points is concerned. The race would simply be cancelled.
Teddy Mayer: This is bullshit.
[a drivers gets to his feet]
Driver #1: If the race is cancelled, none of us get our race fees.
Niki Lauda: That’s true. You leave without your fee, but you might leave with your life.
James Hunt: It also means that you would effectively win the championship. So I can see why this suits you just fine.
[Niki turns to face James, who’s still seated]
Niki Lauda: Why? There would be no points for me either.
[James stands]
James Hunt: No, but there would be one race less where I, or anyone else here, could catch you.
Driver #2: James is right, this is just tactics!
Driver #3: Maybe he’s just frightened.
Niki Lauda: Which asshole said this?
[he looks around the room but no one owns up]
Niki Lauda: Yes, of course I’m frightened. And so are you.
[there’s silence in the room]

Niki Lauda: I accept every time I get in my car there’s twenty percent chance I could die, and I can live with it. How about one per cent more? And today with the rain the risk is more.
James Hunt: I suppose that all depends on how good you are in the rain.
Niki Lauda: I have the track record here. I’m the only person in history to do the Nürburgring in under seven minutes. So actually, it’s to my advantage to race here today. Because I’m quicker than all of you.
[the other drivers laugh at his comment]
James Hunt: Fine. Then let’s race.
[there’s a ripple of chatter as the other drivers agree]
FIA Official: Gentlemen, please.

Driver #2: Why are we here, Niki? Come on.
[Niki looks at James and sits back down]
FIA Official: Well, all those in favor of cancelling the race?
[Niki and a handful of other drivers raise their hand]
FIA Official: All those in favor of racing?
[James along with the majority of the drivers raise their hand]
FIA Official: Gentlemen, the race is on.
[the other drivers clap as they stand and start to leave the room, James walks over to Niki who is still sat looking annoyed]
James Hunt: You know, Niki, every now and then it helps if people like you.
[Niki chuckles as James walks off]

[German Grand Prix, Nürburgring, August 1976, as they are sat in their cars waiting for the race to begin Niki looks over to James who’s looking up at the clouds, Caldwell comes up to James]
Alastair Caldwell: Jochen’s going on slicks. Do you want to change?
James Hunt: Is Niki going to change?
Alastair Caldwell: No.
James Hunt: Then we stay on wets too.
[the cars all line up and get their engines started]
TV Commentator: This season’s fight for the Formula One championship has so far been the story of two men. Thus far it’s been going pretty much the way of Niki Lauda. James Hunt has qualified fastest here, he’s on pole position at the German Grand Prix with Niki Lauda on side in the blood red Ferrari. It’s a long race, of the tracks starts to dry out, the wet weather tires could…
[the start flag is waved and the cars are off]

TV Commentator: Niki Lauda and James Hunt are side by side on the front row as the race gets underway, absolutely as one.
[as the race gets underway Lauda forces one of the McLaren’s car off the track]
TV Commentator: Lauda, gets very aggressive up there forcing the McLaren onto the grass. Lauda has the lead at the moment! Lauda leads into the first corner, Hunt is in second place.
[suddenly another McLaren car goes past James]
TV Commentator: That’s Jochen Mass going past Hunt! He made the right choice to go with the dry weather tires. Mass passing Lauda now! Jochen Mass in the number four McLaren takes the lead! Jochen Mass is the clear leader with everybody else slipping to change tires after just one lap.

[James goes into the pit to get his tires changed, Caldwell comes up to him]
Alastair Caldwell: See? I told you to go on slicks! You didn’t take my advice!
James Hunt: Fuck off! Where’s Niki?
Alastair Caldwell: Behind you! He made the same mistake.
[James looks in his mirror and sees Niki’s car pull up and his crew frantically start changing his tires]
TV Commentator: The tire changing frenzy has caused a huge reshuffling of a panic.
[as James’ tires are changed he’s given the all clear and he roars off]
TV Commentator: Lauda urging his mechanics to hurry.

[after the tires are finally changed on Niki’s car he sets off to catch up with James]
TV Commentator: This race has gone wrong for him so far, his championship rival, James Hunt is a long way up the road. Lauda passing car after car, he’s just going past Mario Andretti’s Lotus there.
[as Niki is frantically trying to catch up with James, suddenly during the third lap, a suspension arm in his car breaks which causes him to swerve off the track and crash into a wall and the car becomes engulfed in flames, then two other cars hit him, some of the drivers come over and try to pull Niki out but the flames from the fire make it impossible, Niki is finally pulled out and taken to the hospital and Marlene hears of this news over the radio]

[as Niki lies in the ICU he hears the voices of the doctors]
Niki’s German Doctor: [subtitled] It’s not the burns to his face that are the danger. It’s the burns to his lungs.
[news reporters are gathered outside the hospital reporting on Niki’s condition]
German Reporter: [subtitled] In the intensive care unit, six doctors and thirty-four nurses are on duty for him. But his condition is far worse than originally feared.
[in the hospital as Niki falls in and out of consciousness he hears the doctors discussing his condition and sees Marlene standing by his bedside looking devastated]

[James is sat in the McLaren workshop writing a letter when he hears more news on the TV being reported on Niki’s condition]
News Reporter: In Formula One today victory celebrations were muted after a horrific accident involving world champion Niki Lauda. Due to safety concerns before the race, the Austrian had said he would not take part, but in the end he did. He was making up for lost time when he went off the track, puncturing the Ferrari. Brett Lunger was unable to avoid the flaming wreck, who was unhurt and joined the other drivers to rescue Lauda, who was taken to Mannheim Hospital with severe burns. The incident reminds us again of the dangers of Formula One. Niki Lauda was trapped for almost a minute in the searing inferno of eight hundred plus degrees.

[at the hospital as Marlene waits Niki’s doctor comes out and calls out to her]
Niki’s German Doctor: [subtitled] He’s awake and just spoke. He said, “Tell the hospital priest to fuck off! I’m still alive!” You can go in.
[Marlene rushes into Niki’s room and looks distressed when she sees the burns to the side of his face and head, she goes over and sits beside him on his bed and touches his hand; 14 days later as Niki is recovering in hospital he watches the races on TV, grimacing in pain as he gets his bandages changed]
TV Commentator: [subtitled] James Hunt gains on the absent Niki Lauda.

[on the 28th day in hospital, 29th August 1976]
German Doctor: [subtitled] We need to vacuum the lungs. I should warn you, it won’t be easy.
[as Niki has his lungs painfully vacuumed he continues to have the TV on showing the race and he hears James earning more points, as the doctor stops vacuuming Niki’s lungs, Niki grabs the doctor’s hand]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Do it again.
German Doctor: [subtitled] Are you sure? The lungs will already be bruised.
[Niki watches James standing at the podium after winning a race, this spurs him on and opens his mouth to indicate for the doctor to continue vacuuming his lungs]

[after a few more weeks at the hospital Niki now on his feet, tries to put his helmet back on, but the burns on his face make it painful, Marlene hears his moans of pain and enters the room]
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] Niki, stop. Please, stop.
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] I know what you’re thinking, but please. If you love me, you won’t’ say a word.
[she looks at him then nods, Niki continues trying to put on the helmet again and even though clearly in pain he finally manages to get the helmet on]

[Italian Grand Prix, Free Practice, September 1976; James and his team are in the pits when they hear a commotion]
James Hunt: What’s going on?
Alastair Caldwell: Jesus, it’s Niki.
James Hunt: What about him?
Alastair Caldwell: He’s here.
James Hunt: What?
Alastair Caldwell: He’s racing.
[James pushes through the crowd of reporters and photographers, he smiles as he sees Niki in the Ferrari pits]
James Hunt: Niki?
[as Niki turns to face James, his smiles fades as he sees the extent of Niki’s facial and head wounds]
Niki Lauda: It’s that bad, huh?
James Hunt: No.

Niki Lauda: In hospital I asked them straight, no bullshit, how bad my appearance would be. They said with time it would be fine, but it won’t. I can tell, seeing your reaction. I will spend the rest of my life with a face that frightens people.
[Niki walks towards James]
James Hunt: You know, Niki, I tried to write you a letter at the time to apologize. The drivers meeting in Germany before the race, I swayed the room.
Niki Lauda: Yes, you did.
James Hunt: That race would never have gone ahead.
Niki Lauda: No, it shouldn’t.
James Hunt: So in many ways I feel responsible for what happened and…
Niki Lauda: You were. But trust me, watching you win those races while I was fighting for my life, you were equally responsible for getting me back in the car.
[they stare at each other for a moment before Niki turns and walks away]

[before the race begins Niki is at a press conference sat at a table at the top]
Italian Journalist: How are you feeling, Niki?
Niki Lauda: Fine.
American Journalist: Niki, can you confirm to us exactly which procedures you had and the expectations for your recovery.
Niki Lauda: Good. I had a skin graft operation where they put half my right thigh on my face. Now it doesn’t look too good, but one unexpected advantage is it’s impossible to perspire with skin grafts, so sweat will never run into my eyes again, which is good for a driver.
[the audience of journalists laugh]

Spanish Journalist: When they heard about your condition, Ferrari immediately hired a replacement driver Carlos Reutemann.
Niki Lauda: Yep, before even reaching the hospital.
German Journalist: Uh, is Reutemann driving today too?
Niki Lauda: Yes, he’s keen to make an impression. Let’s see where Mr. Reutemann finishes and where I finish today.
[the journalists laugh again]
American Journalist: James Hunt of McLaren have caught up a lot while you were away.
Niki Lauda: Yes. Is there a question now or are you just trying to piss me off?
[the journalists laugh, we see James is stood outside the room watching, he smiles too]
French Journalist: You still think you can win?
Niki Lauda: Yes, of course. I have a better car, and possibly I’m the better driver. But he’s a clever guy and he’s used his time well while I was lying half dead in hospital to win some points.
[the journalists laugh]

British Journalist: And what did your wife say when she saw your face?
[Niki pauses for a moment before replying]
Niki Lauda: She said, uh, sweetie, you don’t need a face to drive, you just need the right foot.
[the journalists laugh]
British Journalist: I’m being serious. Do you really think your marriage can survive with the way you look now?
Niki Lauda: And I’m being serious too. Fuck you. Press conference over.
[Niki walks off in anger]

[after the press conference with Niki is over, as the journalists are walking off James calls out to the British journalist that had questioned Niki about his face]
British Journalist: James, are you alright?
James Hunt: Yeah, yeah. Listen, I think I’ve got something for you on that last question about Niki.
British Journalist: Oh, you heard about it?
James Hunt: Yeah.
[James takes the journalist to a quiet corner and suddenly pushes him into a room]
British Journalist: James!
[James punches him in the stomach and then closes the door, then he starts punching the journalist repeatedly in the face, he throws him on the ground and shoves his recorder into his mouth]
James Hunt: Now, go home to your wife and ask her how you look!
[he punches him in the face again]
James Hunt: Prick!
[James leaves the room and closes the door behind him]

[at the Italian Grand Prix as the drivers getting ready to set off]
TV Commentator: So, Niki Lauda, just forty-two days after his near fatal accident at Nürburgring, will race here today at Monza, against all medical advice, and no doubt in incredible pain.
[everyone watches as Niki, wearing his helmet, walks up to his car and gets inside it]
Ferrari Mechanic: Niki, it’s time.
Niki Lauda: Okay.
[Niki watches as Marlene stands at the sidelines to watch, then the race begins and all the cars are off, both the Italian and British commentators report on the event]

Italian TV Commentator: [subtitled] That’s a bad start for Lauda, he’s slow away.
TV Commentator: The returning Niki Lauda seems overwhelmed and is being overtaken by car after car.
Italian TV Commentator: [subtitled] A terrible start for the Austrian. It’s perhaps too soon for him to be racing again.
TV Commentator: Lauda’s off line! He rams wide onto the grass! He bristles it back onto the track, but that was a bad moment for Niki. Niki Lauda is the reigning world champion, but maybe in his current state he’s a danger out there, to himself and to the rest of the peers.
[suddenly the car ahead of Niki collides with the car in front it]
TV Commentator: And Stuck has collided with Mario Andretti’s Lotus! Niki’s boxed in!

[Niki manages to bypass the accident and carries on driving, gaining speed on the drivers ahead of him]
TV Commentator: Niki Lauda is actually making a move, he’s up Brett Lunger’s tail. He pulls out of his position to overtake. Lauda’s starting to find the form that earlier in this race we believed he’d lost. Lauda is still not faster than Reutemann and closing the gap ahead. Lauda closing on Carlos Reutemann, the man called in to be his replacement in the Ferrari team.
[as Niki overtakes Reutemann, James is shown standing by his car by the side of the track]
TV Commentator: And there’s James Hunt’s McLaren, smoking stationary by the side of the road. This is bad news for Hunt’s championship points.

[James watches Niki’s car speeding off past him]
TV Commentator: It’s Ronnie Peterson who comes home the winner here in Monza. But all eyes are on the man who finishes a brilliant fourth, Niki Lauda!
[the crowd cheers and as Niki’s car pulls into the pits the crowd rush down from their seats towards Niki and his car]
TV Commentator: What a race, what a man, what a season. With a fourth place finish and three priceless points, it means that Niki Lauda is a major step closer to obtaining the world championship.
[as Niki is being carried on the shoulders of the ecstatic crowd, he looks over to Marlene who blows him a kiss and smiles at him with joy, meanwhile James looks on at Niki from behind the crowd]

[Japanese Grand Prix, Final Race of 1976; Niki and James wake to find it’s raining heavily]
TV Commentator: So the long, grueling and incredibly dramatic season comes down to this final race in Japan in the shadow of Mount Fuji. Niki Lauda goes into this deciding race in Fuji just three points ahead of James Hunt, Hunt knowing he must beat the Austrian fair and square to take the title.
[at a press conference, James, Niki and the other drivers are sat at long table]
Journalist: James, do you think you can cope with the pressure?
James Hunt: Well, I’ve never really understood what that means. I love my job, I love competing, I love racing. Maybe you should ask Niki, he’s the world champion, he’s got everything to lose.
Japanese Journalist: Mr. Lauda, are you feeling pressure?
Niki Lauda: Do I look like I’m feeling pressure?
[there’s a murmur of laughter]

Niki Lauda: I’m world champion and on the verge to become world champion again. Hunt has now opportunity to win, but it’s not so easy to become a champion. You have to really believe it to make it possible.
Journalist: James, is there anything you’d like to add?
James Hunt: If Niki is being tricky and getting a kicky out of playing mind games, then fine, I’m flattered. The fact is momentum is with me, I’ve never felt better. And I fully expect the next press conference we’ll have to be with me as world champion.

Radio Commentator: Intermittent heavy rain has been forecast here at Fuji today, along with strong winds and occasional fog rolling in from Maui.
TV Commentator: This is over today as the Japanese Grand Prix is to come, Lauda’s lead a mere three points. What a way to finish the season. Hunt or Lauda? Well, the final chapter will unfold while we bring you extended coverage of this…
[James and Niki are both looking at the heavy rain and wind, James turns to Mayer]
James Hunt: Why can’t they cancel the race? It’s lethal out there.
Teddy Mayer: The race is going ahead. The television rights have been sold all around the world. The showdown between you and Niki is all anyone wants to see.
TV Commentator: With heavy rain continuing to fall here at Fuji, a decision has finally been made.
TV Commentator: The 1976 Japanese Grand Prix will go ahead.
Race Announcer: All drivers to your cars, please.
[in the Ferrari pits, Niki looks nervous, he turns to look at Marlene for a moment before putting on his balaclava; in the McLaren pits James is violently sick from being so nervous]

[as it continues to rain heavily, the drivers get in their cars, Caldwell goes over to James]
Alastair Caldwell: Alright?
James Hunt: Fine.
Alastair Caldwell: Hold still.
[Caldwell paces a drill on James’ helmet visor]
James Hunt: What the hell are you doing?
Alastair Caldwell: To let the condensation out.
James Hunt: It’ll also let the water in.
Alastair Caldwell: Not if you’re leading. Trust me, this race is all about the start.
James Hunt: Need a hand here?
Alastair Caldwell: Yeah, hold it, Teddy.

[Caldwell starts drilling a holes into the visor]
Alastair Caldwell: Okay, start the bastard.
[James starts his engine]
Alastair Caldwell: Good luck, kid.
[he shakes James’ hand]
Teddy Mayer: Good luck, kid.
[as Niki starts his engine he looks over to and at the same time James turns to look at Niki, they stare at each other in acknowledgment, Niki raises his hand as a friendly gesture and James raises his in return, Niki then gives a final nod which James also does]
TV Commentator: The electric tension here at Fuji with eighty thousand race fans in the racing grudge match of the decade. There’s Mario Andretti in pole position, James Hunt alongside him. On row two of the grid there is Niki Lauda, and on row three of the grid Jody Scheckter from South Africa in the six wheeled Tyrrell. Behind him are the rest of the twenty-five drivers.

TV Commentator: There’s the flag! The Japanese Grand Prix is under way.
[the cars start to move, all of them finding it difficult to speed in the torrential rain]
TV Commentator: In these conditions it must be almost impossible to drive a four hundred fifty horse powered car. And it’s Andretti who has the lead, but Hunt is attacking! Hunt’s going round the outside of Andretti. Niki Lauda following it through! Hunt leads into the first round!
[as Hunt speeds on ahead Niki follows close behind him]
TV Commentator: Hunt comes through to complete the first lap leading the field, at least he has clear vision in front of him. Niki Lauda behind him eating his spray.
[as the race goes on, Niki starts to slow down as he begins to think of Marlene]
TV Commentator: Lauda is slowing! Niki Lauda is bringing the Ferrari number one into the pit. Some sort of problem, we can’t imagine what so early in the race.
[Niki stops the car in the pit and just sits lost in thought]
Lauda’s Mechanic: What’s wrong with the car? What’s wrong with the car?!
[Niki doesn’t reply but seems to be lost in thought, he turns off his engine]

Lauda’s Mechanic: Niki, what’s wrong with the car?
Niki Lauda: Nothing. Car’s perfect.
[Niki hands the steering wheel to his mechanic and starts to take his seat belt off]
Lauda’s Mechanic: What are you doing?
Niki Lauda: I’m stopping.
[Niki starts getting out of the car]
TV Commentator: The mechanics are asking what the problem is. But wait, Niki Lauda is getting out of the car! This is sensational! The reigning world champion, Niki Lauda is out of this race!

[Niki turns to his mechanic]
Niki Lauda: It’s too dangerous!
Lauda’s Mechanic: Niki, do you want me to say there’s a problem with the car for the media?
Niki Lauda: No, tell them the truth.
[the media looks on as Niki talks to his mechanic]
TV Commentator: Now, what is happening? They’re talking to the team manager, Lauda explaining something.
[after Niki finishes talking to his mechanic he turns and walks towards Marlene, he smiles at her and then he walks off with Marlene following him]
TV Commentator: With Lauda out, James Hunt knows he has to finish this race in third place or higher to be world champion. But the job’s not done yet for James Hunt, in these dreadful conditions he still has to go the distance.

[Niki and Marlene sit in their campervan listening to the radio commentary of the race]
Radio Commentator: With fifteen laps to go here in Fuji, James Hunt or Niki Lauda in this extraordinary season, is not over yet. In this treacherous final round, can James Hunt hang on?
[lap 58, Hunt continues to lead]
Alastair Caldwell: Oh, God. His tires are blistering.
[at the same time Suzy is watching the race on the TV at home, Bubbles and Hesketh are also watching the race on TV]
TV Commentator: Brambilla’s very close to Hunt now, closing on him all the time now. And he’s trying to drive inside James Hunt. Hunt cuts across him, Hunt’s not having that at all. He’s spinning, Brambilla almost took James out of the race and out of the world championship. Now, we find Mario Andretti closing on James Hunt. Mario Andretti is going past Hunt! Hunt is slowing! James Hunt seems to have a problem.
[as his car starts to slow down, James looks at his wheels and notices the rubber on the tires are wearing out]
TV Commentator: Despite these wet conditions, these wet weather tires do wear extremely fast.
[in the Ferrari pit, Niki comes over to join the mechanics as they follow the race on the TV]
Lauda’s Mechanic: Front tires, they’re gone!
TV Commentator: Hunt has to take his car back to the pit stop.

[lap 70, 4 laps to go; James pulls into the pit]
TV Commentator: Look at that left front tire. Right front tire, sorry! Nothing remaining on it and the other one is cracked.
[Caldwell calls out to the mechanics]
Alastair Caldwell: Let’s go, let’s go!
[the mechanics get to work frantically to change the tires, Caldwell goes over to James]
Alastair Caldwell: Okay? When did you break your gear lever?
James Hunt: Nine or ten laps ago.
Mechanic: We need to lift it! We need to lift it!
James Hunt: Come on!
TV Commentator: Regazzoni’s Ferrari and Jacques Laffite in the Ligier have gone ahead!

[to the mechanics]
James Hunt: Come on, hurry!
[as they watch James’ car getting his tires replaced and getting overtaken by the other drivers]
Lauda’s Mechanic: Hey, Niki, you’re going to be world champion!
Niki Lauda: Not yet.
TV Commentator: A few lapse ago, James Hunt was looking like the champion of the race, now it looks as though it’s all gone wrong for him.
Alastair Caldwell: James!
James Hunt: Come on!
Alastair Caldwell: Listen!
James Hunt: What?
Alastair Caldwell: Just go easy out there.
James Hunt: What are you saying?
Alastair Caldwell: I’m saying, look after yourself. We want you back in one piece. You’re too far back, there’s too many drivers in front of you. There’s always next year.
James Hunt: Oh, so that’s it?! It’s over?
Mechanic: Clear!
[James revs his engine]
James Hunt: Fuck it!
[he puts down his visor and speeds off]

TV Commentator: James Hunt rejoins the race in sixth position. There are four laps remaining to go, surely no way back for the Brit now.
[as James goes at full speed he starts thinking about his encounters with Niki and Niki’s wins, Hesketh and Bubbles continue to watch the race on TV]
Lord Hesketh: Concentrate, Superstar.
[lap 71, 3 laps to go]
TV Commentator: Just brings it back under control.
American Commentator: Hunt’s M23 twitching this way and that under breaking, he almost loses it right there.
TV Commentator: Hunt’s on the tail of Jacques Laffite in the blue Ligier. He’s inches away from the pit board, he’s inches away from the Ligier!
[James manages to go past Laffite and speeds on ahead]
TV Commentator: James Hunt may have gone up a place, but it’s not enough and this race is running out.

[lap 72, 2 laps to go]
TV Commentator: And Watson has spun! Watson has spun! Hunt manages to weave his way between that bank marker and the stationary Penske. He’s catching Regazzoni, but in these conditions it’s one thing to catch up, it’s quite another to overtake.
[James gets close to Regazzoni and decides to overtake]
TV Commentator: He’s alongside Clay Regazzoni, this could be the world championship!
[James manages to overtake Regazzoni]
TV Commentator: He’s got him!
Japanese Commentator: [subtitled] The scoreboard still shows Hunt in 5th place.
TV Commentator: Hunt crosses the line! Now he needed to finish third to score enough points to be world champion, but in the confusion here we’re being told that he may have finished fifth.

[in the Ferrari pit]
Lauda’s Mechanic: He finished fifth?
Mechanic: No, faster.
TV Commentator: Our lap charts show Hunt in third place, but if the scoreboards right, it means he’s just missed out on the championship. A crushing defeat for Hunt after such a heroic drive. I can see the race officials conferring, examining the official lap charts. We’re just going to have to wait for their verdict here.

[as the officials are examining the lap chars, James pulls into the pit and takes off his helmet]
Teddy Mayer: Let’s get you out of there, buddy.
James Hunt: I’m sorry, Teddy. I’m sorry. I thought I could make it…
Teddy Mayer: Sorry? What are you talking about? You did it!
James Hunt: Did what?
Teddy Mayer: You crazy bastard! You came third, you got the points!
[James looks at the scoreboard]
Teddy Mayer: You’re champion of the world!

TV Commentator: James Hunt is now officially confirmed as finishing third here in Japan, that means he is champion of the world.
[James gets out of the car and Caldwell embraces him]
TV Commentator: Our new world champion, James Hunt by just one single point.
[Niki watches James celebrating from the Ferrari pits and smiles to himself; as James is celebrating reporters surround him]
Reporter: Tell us, James, what are you going to do next?
James Hunt: I shall be getting drunk.
[as James continues to celebrate his victory with his team, Niki and Marlene are seated in their helicopter, Niki watches the celebrations with a look of envy]
Marlene Lauda: [subtitled] Are you okay?
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Fine. No regrets.
[he looks at her]
Niki Lauda: [subtitled] Not one.
[Marlene smiles and they both look at the celebrations as the helicopters lifts off to leave]

[following his victory, James continues his playboy lifestyle, we see him being interviewed and endorsing products; then while in Bologna, Italy, as he about to board an airplane he finds Niki on the runway checking his plane; to the group of women that he’s traveling with]
James Hunt: You lot go on ahead, I won’t be a minute.
[he goes over to Niki]
James Hunt: Niki. Good to see you.
[he shakes Niki’s hand, Niki then continues checking his plane]
James Hunt: I heard you were spending more and more time in one of these.
Niki Lauda: Do you fly?
[James laughs]
James Hunt: No. I don’t think they’d insure me.

[referring to flying]
Niki Lauda: You should try, it’s good for discipline. You have to stay within the rules, stick to regulations, suppress the ego. It helps with the racing.
James Hunt: There I was thinking you’re about to wax lyrical about the romance of flight.
Niki Lauda: No, it’s all bullshit. So what brings you here?
James Hunt: A friend’s wedding. Well, at least I think it was a wedding, might have been a Birthday or something, it’s all a bit of a blur. How about you? Have you been to Fiorano?
Niki Lauda: Season testing.
James Hunt: You’re relentless.
Niki Lauda: Thank you.
James Hunt: I’m not sure that was meant as a compliment.

Niki Lauda: When do you start testing? Next week?
James Hunt: No. What are you, nuts? I didn’t just win the biggest thing in my life so I could get right back to work.
Niki Lauda: Why? You have to, to prove to all the people who will always say you just won it because…
James Hunt: Because of what? Because of your accident? Jeez, Niki, is that other people or is that you? I won, okay? On the all important day, when it came down to it, we raced on equal terms, equally good cars. And I put my life on the line and I saw it through.
Niki Lauda: And you call that winning?
James Hunt: Yes!
Niki Lauda: The risks were totally unacceptable. You were prepared to die. To me that’s losing.
James Hunt: Yes, I was. I admit it, I was prepared to die to beat you that day. And that’s the effect you have on me.
[Niki smiles and shakes his head]

James Hunt: You pushed me that far and it felt great. Oh, hell, isn’t that what we’re in this for? To stare death in the face and to cheat it? I mean, come on, there’s nobility in that, that’s like being nice.
[Niki smiles]
Niki Lauda: You English, you’re such assholes. You know my position. Twenty percent risk.
James Hunt: No, no, no, no, Niki. Don’t bring the percentages into this, don’t be a pro. The minute you do that you kill what’s good about this, you kill the sport.
[they stare at each other for a moment before they’re interrupted by one of James’ friends calling out to him]
Hunt’s Female Friend: James? James?
James Hunt: I’ve got to go.
[he turns to leave; referring to Niki’s plane]
James Hunt: Be careful in this thing.

[as James is walking off to join his friends]
Niki Lauda: James.
[James stops and turns to face Niki]
Niki Lauda: You know in hospital the toughest part of my treatment was the vacuum, pumping the shit out of my lungs. It was hell. And when I was doing it I was watching television, you winning all my points.
James Hunt: Your points?
Niki Lauda: That bastard hand, I would say. I hated that. And then one day the doctor came and said, “Mr. Lauda, may I offer a piece of advice? Stop thinking of it as a curse to have been given an enemy in life, it can be blessing too. A wise man gets more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.” And you know what? He was right. Now look at us. We were both a pair of kids when we met. Hot headed jerks in Formula Three. Disowned by our families, headed nowhere. And now we’re both champions of the world. It’s not bad, huh?
James Hunt: No, it’s not bad.
Niki Lauda: So don’t let me down. I need you busting me my balls, get back to work.
James Hunt: I will, Niki. I will. But I intend to enjoy myself first. So much life needs to be for pleasure. What’s the point of having a million cups and medals and planes if you don’t have any fun? Now how is that winning?
[Niki smiles]

[James’ friends call out to him]
Hunt’s Female Friend: We’re going to leave without you! James!
[James waves to her and turns back to Niki]
James Hunt: I’ll see you on race day, champ.
Niki Lauda: You will, champ.
[as he starts to walk off he turns to Niki for a moment]
James Hunt: You look good, Niki. You’re the only guy to have your face burnt off and it being an improvement.
[Niki gives him the finger and smiles, James smiles back and turns to walk towards the plane his friends have boarded]

[last lines; as Niki watches James going to board the plane with his friends, we see archive footage of the real James Hunt and Niki Lauda during their races together and as they got older]
Niki Lauda: [voice over] Of course he didn’t listen to me. For James, one world title was enough. He had proved what he needed to prove. To himself and anyone who doubted him. And two years later, he retired. When I saw him next in London, seven years later, me as a champion again, him as broadcaster, he was barefoot on a bicycle with a flat tire, still living each day like his last. When I heard he died age 45 of a heart attack, I wasn’t surprised. I was just sad. People always think of us as rivals but he was among the very few I liked and even fewer that I respected. He remains the only person I envied.

Total Quotes: 116

Rush Quotes – ‘The closer you are to death, the more alive you feel.’

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