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This page is for bits of info and facts that fans may find interesting.
James favourite pop group was The Rolling Stones
The cockpit of the McLaren had to be redisigned as James couldn't fit in it, as he was too tall!
James was an ambassador for Vauxhall cars, and was given a preveledge car each time he was in the UK. He appeared in many adverts for them.
He was a supporter of children's charities and was a regular visitor at Great Ormond Street hospital Children's Ward.
His villa in Marbella in Spain had 4 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and a swimming pool. His next door neighbour was Jody Sheckter.
James called Scheckter 'Fletcher' after the crash prone bird in the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
He did a lot of fitness training with Chelsea FC
The James Hunt Fan Club ran from 1976 to 1979. It had a magazine which came out every 2 months. Members got an ID card, a signed photo, the magazine, a model of the McLaren, a badge, stickers and a poster.
After James left McLaren, he was offered a drive with Ferrari, but amazingly turned it down and joined Wolf instead. Ferrari were so impressed with the way he beat Lauda, that they offered him the drive that eventually went to Jody Scheckter, who won the championship in 1979.
James was the man who discovered Gilles Villeneuve. He was very impressed with Gilles' performance in the Trois Rivieres street race, and organised a third McLaren for Gilles to drive in the 1977 British GP.
James could play the trumpet and piano.
He appeared on the 1976 Morecambe and Wise Christmas show, where he chaffeured the two in a mini, before crashing into a tree! He asked Morecambe for a tip, which the reply to was 'Leave the women alone!'
James tried Indycars, NASCAR, touring cars, and Sportscar racing with the CanAm series and Le Mans cars. He also entered the RAC Rally of Britain with Noel Edmonds. They crashed on stage 1!
James tought Mika Hakkinen and Eddie Irvine when the two were in F3.
He did not like Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost and especially Riccardo Patrese. James thought Nigel was boring.
James famously caled Phillipe Alliot, the French driver a 'bloody idiot' on air, after Alliot held Ayrton Senna up, while Senna was trying to lap Alliot.
He shared a flat with Niki Lauda when the two were in F3.
Hunt was one of Ayrton Senna's most trusted friends, and with Gerhard Berger, persuaded Ayrton to stay in F1, when Senna was thinking of retiring.
James was good friends with Barry Sheene, the British twice world champion motorcyclist.
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Career Statistics
Wins: 10
Dutch GP 1975, Spanish GP 1976, French GP 1976, German GP 1976, Dutch GP 1976, Canadian GP 1976, American GP, 1976, British GP 1977, American GP 1977, Japanese GP 1977
Seconds: 7
Thirds: 8
Fourths: 5
Fifths: 3
Sixths: 3
Podiums finishes: 25
Fastest laps: 8
Pole positions: 14
Starts: 92
Points: 189
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One of James Vauxhall promotions |
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Quotes
''This car is absolutely hopeless. It's like driving a wet sponge'' describing his first drive in the McLaren
''Oi, Depailler! Where did you get your superlicence? Out of a crisp packet?!'' James is not amused after Tyrrell driver Patrick Depailler forced him into a wall in Long Beach
''I wouldn't worry about your face Niki, you were ugly in the first place!'' cheering his mate Niki Lauda up after Lauda nearly burned to death in Germany
''Mclaren did a spectacularly sloppy job in Spain. They didn't even bother to check the car after the race!'' what a great team player, after being disqualified in Spain
''Bloody Herman! He nobbled me well and truly!'' team mate Mass accidentally knocked Hunt of during the Canadian GP. A stunned and bruised Hunt accidentally punched a marshall's lights out after he got out the car
''What a load of rubbish!'' James opinion on the first race he commentated on
''We've got this amazing situation, we're all sitting by the start and finish line waiting for a winner to come past and we're not getting one'' The lack of leaders in the 1982 Monaco GP leads to a famous put down there
''Prost's car is on fire as he goes into the swimming pool.''
''That should put them out then!'' Murray Walker and James discussing Prost's engine faliure
''Very stupid driving from Mansell there'' Mansell makes a mistake, and Hunt goes in for the kill
''And Mansell was very lucky to not be taken off by that REDICULOUS piece of driving by Alliot who didn't bother looking in his mirrors!'' Hunt on another blocking tactic of Alliot's
''Berger's car is on fire!''
''No Murray that's his rainlight'' Correcting a classic Murrayism
''Piquet has got no motivation whatsoever. He's only in F1, to keep his 45 metre yacht afloat, and his helicopter in petrol'' A classic Hunt put-down.
''No hurry for the Williams team, just very important to not make a mistake. And thats absolutely fine.......(matter of fact) Oh, and he's lost a wheel'' Hunt not bothered that Mansell's championship dream is up in smoke.
''Andrea De Cesaris should really be called De Crasheris. He's smashed up so many cars in testing. He's an embarrasment to himself, his team and the sport, and maybe he should retire'' Another great insult
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James owned a Ford Capri RS3100 |
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Quotes from rivals
''He was a helluva good driver, and an honest to God friend'' Niki Lauda
''I always got on with James and he was fun to be around'' Jody Scheckter
''James was a real gentleman.....'' Gilles Villeneuve
''I had a very good friendship with James. He never gave you any rubbish'' Ayrton Senna
''James was truly an unforgettable chap'' Murray Walker
''James was a very good driver, who did very well on his day'' Jackie Stewart
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James in his last race for Wolf |
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