Monoposto

Nº 15

James Hunt

1976 World Champion

Marlboro McLaren

Overview

James Simon Wallis Hunt, born in Belmont, Surrey, on 29 August 1947, won the 1976 World Drivers' Championship with McLaren, a point ahead of Niki Lauda.1 After racing he spent 13 years on BBC commentary with Murray Walker.1 He died of a heart attack on 15 June 1993, aged 45.1

1976

Six wins, 1 point clear of Niki Lauda

The Japanese rain

He was disqualified in Spain for a car 1.8 cm too wide, then reinstated on appeal, and lost his British Grand Prix win after a complaint from Ferrari.1

At the Japanese finale, in heavy rain, Lauda retired early because of his burns from the Nürburgring.1 Hunt survived a puncture and a delayed stop to finish third, enough to win by a point.1

Every Grand Prix finish, 1976

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

Image plates

5 photographs, in season order

Helmet

His helmet had his name in bold letters, with blue, yellow and red stripes on black, close to his Wellington College school colours.1 Kimi Räikkönen wore a helmet bearing his name at Monaco in 2012 and 2013.1

A drawing of his 1976 design.

Auge=mit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Background removed

McLaren M23

He won the title in the McLaren M23.1

The McLaren M23 at the 1976 Race of Champions.

Martin Lee · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
1976
McLaren M23

Road to the title

  1. 1973Formula One debut at Monaco, with Hesketh.1
  2. 1975First win, at the Dutch Grand Prix.1
  3. 1976Joined McLaren and won the title.1
  4. 1979Last season, with Wolf.1

Records

  • Title by a single point over Niki Lauda1

Sources