James Hunt

British racing driver (1947–1993)

Fame64.6
Momentum13.9
Athletes rank#211

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Fame64.6
Momentum13.9
Athletes rank#211
Wikipedia145.8K

Lived 1947–1993, aged 46United Kingdom

United Kingdom AthletesAthlete

Wikipedia
52 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1947–1993
Aged 46
Known for
Rush
2013

Summary

Updated 2026-08-27

He won the 1976 Formula One title by a single point in one of the sport's most dramatic seasons, then walked away three years later — but "Hunt the Shunt" is remembered as much for the wreckage and the parties as for the ten wins.

Biography

About

Born in Surrey in 1947, Hunt tore through touring cars and Formula Three until Lord Hesketh gave him a Formula One seat in 1973. His rookie year brought podiums; his reckless style and off-track excess brought the nickname "the Shunt." He took his first win with Hesketh at the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix — a famous underdog victory — but the team lost its funding. McLaren picked him up for 1976, where he fought Niki Lauda through a season of crashes, fire, and rain to claim the championship by one point. He won races in 1977, endured a winless 1978, and quit mid-season in 1979 at Monaco. He became a…

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