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Sex, drugs and racing: the wild life of former F1 World Champion James Hunt

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Khatir Soltani
In 1995, Canadian motorsport journalist Gerald Donaldson wrote a soft biography about the 1976 Formula 1 World Champion James Hunt. In the book, Donaldson spoke very little of the party-style of life Master James was enjoying. In this new book, British writer Tom Rubython unveils the whole story!

James Hunt with Team McLaren boss Teddy Mayer. (Photo: WRI2)

A brave, fearless and very gifted race car driver, James Hunt was also the last great example of the playboy racing driver. He loved women, was a chain smoker, took drugs, was a hard drinker and could never behave properly. For example, the McLaren driver loved to arrive at a very chic Monaco palace in his Porsche 911 bare feet and wearing ridiculously old jeans and a t-shirt.

While three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart famously abstained from sex a week before a motor race, Hunt would often have sex minutes before climbing into the cockpit.

In his book “Shunt”, Rubython explains that was his pre-race preparations. In 1976, Hunt (of team McLaren) was battling hard against Niki Lauda (Ferrari) for the World title. The last and decisive race was held in Fuji, Japan.

James Hunt in Monaco with his girlfriend in 1979. (Photo: WRI2)

Hunt spent the two weeks leading up to the crucial race on a round-the-clock alcohol, cannabis and cocaine binge with his friend, world motorcycle champion Barry Sheene.

Thirty-three British Airways flight attendants bedded with Hunt over his two-week training period.

“In Japan, his playground of choice was the Tokyo Hilton, where every morning British Airways stewardesses were dropped off at reception for a 24-hour stopover.”

“It wasn’t unusual for him and Sheene to have sex with all of the women, often together.”
- from the book.

His pre-race ritual included vomiting; the result of extreme nerves combined with overindulgence.

Finally ready for action, Hunt went out to drive the race of his life in Fuji in appalling weather conditions because of the torrential rain... and won the 1976 World Championship, beating Lauda by just one point.

James Hunt, McLaren M26-Ford, 1978. (Photo: WRI2)

Hunt drank himself silly after the race. Rubython wrote that at a British Embassy reception in his honour, Hunt was so drunk that the ambassador hesitated to let him in.

The return flight to London on Japan Airlines had been block-booked by Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone’s travel company and was the scene for a riotous 12-hour party that drained the plane of alcohol.

The rest of his motorsport career was not so brilliant. He left McLaren to race for Walter Wolf and decided to stop racing in 1979 following another retirement at the Grand Prix of Monaco.

Soon after retirement, Hunt became an outspoken and entertaining television commentator for the BBC. He died from a massive heart attack in his home in Great Britain June 15, 1993.

Shunt by Tom Rubython is published by The Myrtle Press.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada