Hunt mania!

The British Grand Prix was held in July 1976 at the Brands Hatch circuit. It was the ninth round of an epic season so well described in the movie ‘Rush’. The famous duel between Niki Lauda and James Hunt became legendary.

Arriving at Brands Hatch as a title contender, the charismatic Hunt enjoyed his rock star status. He is seen here above, obviously delighted by the adulation of his home crowd at the autograph session organised for him and for his Austrian rival and friend.

Controversy at the start of the race. James Hunt was involved in a first corner crash that brought out the red flags. Hunt drove his damaged car back to the pits, but did not complete a full lap to do so.

Therefor the officials did not allow him to take the restart. The news led to so much angry feelings amongst the British crowd, who chanted Hunt’s name until the stewards, fearing crowd trouble, announced that Hunt would be allowed to race after all.

Immediately after the race, the Ferrari, Tyrrell and Fittipaldi teams protested this decision, and in September, two months after the event, Hunt was disqualified, giving Niki Lauda the race win.