This is one heartfelt story to me for not only it shows true sportsmanship but also one unique friendship that i have ever come across in the sporting world. Here's to every lover of sports another story that deserves a spread of word.
The friendship or should I call the rivalry portrayed by Niki lauda and james hunt has left me wondering as to what exactly these people meant to each other .They were not just successful formula one drivers but someone who had immense respect for each other and hated the other equally for it. This isn’t some new trait to be found, but something rare as they respected at the back and hated in the front. Is this not what friendship is all about?! It is one season that stands out in the history of formula 1 because of the diametrically opposite personalities who stood by their decisions ,no matter the circumstances.
Niki, a perfectionist, raced for Ferrari while Hunt was anything but a perfectionist came with a Mclaren, over ruled Niki’s decision and when on to race at the Nurburgring circuit, germany in 1976 owing to wet conditions which had already claimed enough lives. This resulted in a fatal accident that almost cost Niki lauda’s life who was already a world champion and Hunt who was yet to have that feather in his cap, grabbed the opportunity to be one by finishing races in his absence . Inspite knowing what had happened to Niki previously and with one more race to claim the title which had the same conditions as the Nurburgring circuit, Hunt went on racing to finish third pocketing the title,while Niki withdrew.
Lauda was back at the racetrack in 6 weeks after the accident, not because he was fit enough to race again but couldn’t help himself watching Hunt making the finish line. They had each other backs only to have the other back at the track again. Their racing styles differed like no other rivals. Niki kept preparing every day for the next while Hunt lived like it was his last. To Hunt one championship was enough to prove everything he had to while for Niki it helped him to stay focused for the next one.Both started their careers at Formula 3,with no resources other than passion and thirst to make it big.They had their own way of making it to the big stage, constantly looking out for each other to keep the fire on.
Meanwhile their respect never grew shorter as the finish line drew near. With Hunt retiring three years later tired of the constant winnings, Lauda went on to add feathers. At the age of 45 in 1993 when Hunt breathed last of heart attack, Lauda was said to be sad. The movie RUSH of 2013 that depicts their life on and off the track is a genuine tribute to the icons.
None can truly do justice to them than Lauda himself who remembers Hunt with the words ‘he was among the very few I liked and even fewer that I respected. He remains the only person I envied’