All language subtitles for Rush.2013.2160p.4K.BluRay.x265.10bit.AAC5.1-[YTS.MX]_track3_[eng]

COMMENTATOR: ...what has turned
into a classic Formula One season.

(FOREIGN COMMENTATORS
OVERLAPPING)

...with the weather conditions
so uncertain, the drivers prepare for...

...the track is
still dangerously wet,

but following
a drivers' meeting,

a decision has
finally been taken...

ANNOUNCER:
Three minutes to go.

Everybody off
the grid now.

(AIR HISSING)

(MAN TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

NIKI: Twenty-five drivers
start every season in Formula One,

and each year
two of us die.

What kind of person
does a job like this?

Not normal men,
for sure.

Rebels,

lunatics,

dreamers.

People who are desperate
to make a mark

and are prepared
to die trying.

My name is Niki Lauda,

and racing people
know me for two things.

The first is
my rivalry with him.

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

ANNOUNCER: Photographers,
please clear the grid.

What about Hunt?
Has he changed?

No, he's going on wets.

NIKI: I don't know why
it became such a big thing.

We were just drivers
busting each others' balls.

To me this is
perfectly normal,

but other people
saw it differently,

that whatever it was
between us went deeper.

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(ENGINE STARTS)

(ENGINE REVVING)

The other thing
I'm remembered for

is what happened
on 1st August 1976,

when I was chasing him
like an asshole.

(ENGINE REVVING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

GEMMA: Yeah, that's the one.
On the second shelf. Thank you.

Trauma trolley, please.

I think the racetrack
telephoned ahead that I was coming.

Hunt. James Hunt.

What's the matter?
No one ever seen a spot of blood before?

Are you all right?

Absolutely fine.

We all thought you'd
been in an accident.

I have.

If you call
a friendly disagreement

with another
driver an accident.

What did you
disagree about?

JAMES: It's none
of your business.

(GROANS)

Sorry.

His wife.

That's going to need
a couple of stitches. It's a nasty cut.

It was a nasty blow.
Done with a bloody crowbar.

Why?
What did you do?

Nothing.

Only what she
asked me to do.

Which was?

I'd be happy to
show you if you like.

(JAMES GROANS)

Sorry.

JAMES: I have
a theory why women like racing drivers.

It's not because
they respect what we do,

driving round
and round in circles.

Mostly they think
that's pathetic, and they're probably right.

It's our closeness
to death.

You see, the closer
you are to death, the more alive you feel.

The more alive you are.

And they can
see that in you. They feel that in you.

My name is James Hunt.

My father is a stockbroker,

my sister is a barrister
and my brother is an accountant.

And I, well, I do this.

It's a wonderful way
to live.

It's the only way
to drive.

As if each day
is your last.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(GEMMA LAUGHING)

I've never been to
a Grand Prix before.

Oh, you still haven't.
This is Formula Three.

What's that?

That's a lower division
where idiots like me mess about

in the hope of being
talent-spotted to race in Formula One.

-You look disappointed.
-No.

JAMES: Ah. You only slept with me because
you thought I was famous.

GEMMA: That's not true.

Don't worry.
I will be one day.

(CHUCKLES)

Morning, everyone.

-This is Nursie.
-Gemma.

JAMES: Nursie,
this is Bubbles Horsley, team manager.

How do you do?

-Bubbles?
-Yeah.

Doc Postlethwaite,
our designer.

How do you do?

JAMES: And Alexander,
Lord Hesketh, the team's owner.

How do you do?

Fine, thanks.

HESKETH: (LAUGHS)
Well done, Superstar.

That's the car?

Yep, that's her.

Lotus 59.

1000cc.
Cosworth MAE engine.

She's no beauty,
but goes like the clappers.

(JAMES VOMITS)

(SPITS)

HESKETH: Nothing to be
worried about. Does it before every race.

Good sign, actually.
Means he's stoked.

ANNOUNCER: All Formula
Three cars to the assembly area now, please.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

ANNOUNCER: ...drivers, please bring them to
the scrutineering bay now.

All right, Superstar?

Never better, patrón.

-Have a gargle with this.
-Thank you.

HESKETH:
Quick toke of this.

COMMENTATOR: At Crystal Palace
today, James Hunt's on pole,

with Austrian newcomer
Niki Lauda alongside him

and Dave Walker
completing Row 1.

Row 2 is Mike Beuttler
and Dave Morgan,

with Tony Trimmer
and Gerry Birrell.

Who's that?

DOC: He's new.

Some German.

Austrian.

BUBBLES: He's been here
since 5:00 a.m., walking the track.

You might actually
have to concentrate today, James.

HESKETH: You'll need these.

BUBBLES: Okay,
start her up.

(ENGINE SPUTTERS)

HESKETH:
Ah! What music!

They could never
have imagined it,

those pioneers who
invented the automobile,

that it would
possess us like this,

in our imaginations,
our dreams.

Nursie,
men love women,

but even more than that,
men love cars.

(ENGINE REVVING)

MAN: Come on, James!

It's James!
Go on, James!

Go, James!

Hunt's still in the lead,
but Niki Lauda is right on his tail.

COMMENTATOR: Hunt and Lauda
are proving to be in a class of their own.

They're leaving
the pack far behind.

Herr Red Devil's
on his tail.

COMMENTATOR: Lauda takes
a look down the inside.

And he's sold him
a dummy!

Lauda is through!
He's in the lead!

Hunt will be determined
to make up for that mistake.

(ENGINE REVVING)

Hunt's in Lauda's slipstream.

Lauda's not leaving any gap.

The Lotus goes
for the inside.

It's an aggressive move
from Hunt.

Oh! There's contact!

(TIRES SCREECHING)

The leaders have spun out!
Lauda's facing the wrong way!

The back marker's
gone through.

You can see why Hunt's fellow drivers
call him Hunt the Shunt.

(ENGINE REVVING)

(CURSING IN GERMAN)

-Go on, James!
-The Kraut's out of it.

COMMENTATOR:
Lauda is clearly furious.

There's every reason
to expect sharp words in the pits.

It's going to be
victory for Hunt.

It's going to be
an ignominious defeat for Niki Lauda.

-(CROWD CHEERING)
-(CHAMPAGNE CORK POPS)

(LAUGHS)

COMMENTATOR: So James Hunt
scores his third major

Formula Three
win of the season here at Crystal Palace,

after a desperate
battle with Niki Lauda.

Lauda was unable to restart

after Hunt's aggressive
move caused them

both to spin out in
the last lap of the race.

HESKETH: Hard luck.
Better luck next time.

Hey, asshole.

That was my line.
I had that corner.

You mean the one
that you spun out of

and finished facing
the other way?

-I think that corner had you.
-(ALL LAUGH)

That move was total suicide.
What if I hadn't braked? We'd have crashed.

But we didn't,
did we?

Thanks to your impeccable
survival instincts.

-(IMITATES CLUCKING)
-(ALL LAUGH)

Fuck you.
What's your name?

James Simon Wallis Hunt.
Remember it, my little Jerry friend.

JAMES: Jawohl.
Remember the name.

It's very simple. Hunt.

It rhymes with "cunt."

(LAUGHING)

JAMES: A word that happens
to describe you perfectly.

Who was that?

I've no idea. He looks
like a rat, doesn't he?

(GEMMA LAUGHING)

NIKI: In my hometown, Vienna,
my family is famous for one thing, business.

(BELLS RINGING)

My grandfather
was a businessman,

my father, too.

So when they heard
I wanted to race cars for a living,

they had a few things to say.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(GRANDFATHER
YELLING IN GERMAN)

NIKI: So if my family
wasn't going to help me,

I decided to risk everything
and take out a loan myself.

I found a Formula One
team with an okay car

and an owner who
had run out of money

and was willing
to accept my terms.

PRESENTER: And so,
ladies and gentlemen,

I'm delighted to say
that the winner

of the Guild of
Motoring Writers Award Driver of the Year

is James Hunt.

(ALL CHEERING)

Superb news!

Well done, James.

Superstar!

MAN: Fantastic!

(LAUGHS)

-Well done.
-Thank you so much.

Yes!

Um...

My parents always
wanted me to be a doctor

or a stockbroker
or something.

(ALL LAUGHING)

They gave me
the first-class education,

but, well, that all went
terribly wrong and I ended up with you lot.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Thank you.
I need it more than you do.

(ALL LAUGHING)

I mean, I have a hot head,
an inability to tolerate discipline.

-Yes!
-Very true.

I fall out with people
left and right.

The only creatures
I've ever really loved

or treated honorably
are budgerigars.

(ALL LAUGHING)

So in any normal area of life,
I'd be, uh, or I am, a total liability.

The only thing
I've got going for me is I'm quick in a car.

So thank you for this
and for acknowledging that.

I'm going to give
it to my father,

and tell him to put
it on the mantelpiece

and imagine
it's a first-class degree in medicine.

(MUSIC STARTS PLAYING)

HESKETH: Well done,
Superstar.

Another season like that,
then I'll move you up to the big time.

Come on, you don't
think I'm ready now?

You are.
(LAUGHS)

I'm not. I've got to
find you a car first.

Well, go on, then.
Chop chop.

Don't wait too long.

You don't want him to do
what Lauda just did.

Why? What did he do?

Got himself
a drive with BRM.

Well, how the hell
did he do that?

He's a nobody.
He's never won a bloody thing.

Apparently took out
a loan and bought his way in

with two million
Austrian shillings.

Jesus.

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

Niki Lauda. Here for
pre-season testing. BRM?

Sign the release form.
I'll let them know you're here.

-Mr. Stanley.
-Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning. Clay!
(CLEARS THROAT)

Let me introduce you
to our number one driver.

Clay Regazzoni.

-How are you?
-Good.

Pleasure.

STANLEY: And these are
your mechanics.

They're reporting
exclusively to you, as per contract.

Pleasure.
Do you wanna see the car?

Sure.

NIKI: Hello.

MECHANIC:
There she is. P160.

Same as Regazzoni's?

Identical in every detail.

How much does
she weigh?

MECHANIC: 600 kilos.

NIKI: But that's crazy.

Why so heavy?

It's a V12 engine.

That lump weighs
180 K on its own.

Okay.

What horsepower
are you getting? 490?

No, no, 450.

Well, it's not enough.

It needs to be 500,
and the engine needs to be 20 kilo lighter.

MECHANIC: We already tried.

-NIKI: Tried what?
-MECHANIC: Everything.

We replaced the entire
exhaust system. Barely made a difference.

Are you using
magnesium parts?

Now the engine block.

Any mounting
or fixing plates, strip it out also.

When you've done that,
we have to look at the aerodynamics,

front and rear wing.

(CRACKLING)

Okay, thank you.
Good night.

(ENGINE REVVING)

What was Regazzoni's time?

1:53.

Okay, now put him in my car,
and he'll go around two seconds faster.

-(ALL LAUGH)
-Well, that's impossible.

MAN: No chance.

MECHANIC: We have been
working on it all night.

Put Regazzoni in the car.
See what happens.

REGAZZONI: I don't understand.
Why am I supposed to do this?

I don't know, Clay.
He just wants you to take it for a spin.

Gloves, please.

(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

(ENGINE REVVING)

(CLOCK TICKING)

NIKI: I would say we push it
a bit further up there.

All right.

STANLEY: What did you do
to the car?

That's information I will share with
you under certain conditions only.

Go on.

A guaranteed place
in the team.

And a paid contract
on equal terms with Regazzoni for two years.

(SCOFFS) Are you crazy?

Clay's a senior figure
in Formula One. You're just a rookie.

The only reason
we took you on is because you're paying us.

Well, as of now
if you want me to stay,

we rip up the contract,
I don't pay you a cent.

That's outrageous!

NIKI: Was he quicker
in my car?

He was, wasn't he?

Did he go
two seconds faster?

2.3.

So, have a think,
work out your priorities and get back to me.

Hey, Niki.

I know what you're going to
say, that it's none of my business.

What?

If it's the track manager
you're taking on your date tonight.

It's none
of your business.

Okay,
but if you want my advice, I'd let this one go.

I'm not questioning
your taste. She is a great girl, but...

Agnes' last boyfriend

was a British
Formula Two driver

who has a reputation
for two things.

For being a little
crazy on the track

and for going all night
and all day and all night again in bed.

He's a good driver,
but an immortal fuck, apparently.

I don't know about you, but that's not an
act I'd like to follow. (LAUGHS)

But if that doesn't
bother you...

What's his name,
the driver?

Hunt. James Hunt.

You see, you share
information and I share information.

That's what
teammates are for.

JAMES: Where the hell
are we going?

HESKETH: I promise
it'll be worth it. (LAUGHS)

Just keep them closed.

Wait for it.

Wait for it.

(LAUGHS)

HESKETH: There.
What do you say?

JAMES: She's Formula One.

Yes, she is, Superstar.

Your brother and I
got together with the bean counters.

And since
the economics of F1

are not so
significantly different

to the economics
of Formula Two,

well, we thought if we were
going to be losing money,

we might as well
be doing it on

the big roulette table
in Formula One.

You fat, little,
inbred beauty. Come here.

(ALL LAUGH)

Actually, credit where it's
due, we got the idea from Niki.

-JAMES: Who?
-HESKETH: Lauda.

Bought his way in rather
than mess about in the lower divisions.

I thought, bloody hell,
he's right.

No sponsorship, Superstar.
I hope you approve.

No vulgar logos
for cigarettes or condoms.

Just plain white
with the flags. Ooh!

And racing overalls
which read,

"Sex. Breakfast
of champions."

(ALL LAUGHING)

So when do we start?

-Soon as you're ready.
-Ready?

I've been waiting
for this my whole life.

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

STIRLING:
When the season started, people wondered

whether Lord Hesketh
and his team of upper-class enthusiasts

were bringing glamour
to the racing community or just comedy.

Certainly,
it was the first time

anyone had seen
a butler serving

oysters and caviar
in the pits.

But they have made
quite an impact.

Sixth in France,
fourth in Britain and third in Holland.

ANNOUNCER 1:
All drivers on the track, caution flags are out.

-(SIREN WAILING)
-A severe crash at the Esses.

ANNOUNCER 2: Red flag.
There is a car off the track.

STIRLING: And reports
are reaching me that there

has been a serious
accident in qualifying.

Uh, the identity
of the driver,

we don't currently
have at the moment,

but as you can tell
from all the activity

going on behind me
towards the track,

it is clearly a grave
incident indeed.

We will, of course, have more information for
you as and when we get it,

but it is the sight and sound of Formula
One nobody likes to see.

-Get your hands off me.
-MAN: Hey, come on.

COMMENTATOR:
Drivers of top stature

we've lost just in
the past four seasons

have included
Piers Courage, Jochen Rindt,

Jo Siffert,
Roger Williamson

and today,
at Watkins Glen,

Formula One has
claimed another driver.

(VOMITS)

ANNOUNCER: The Tyrrell team
have withdrawn from the race.

Their places on the grid
will be left empty.

Terrible.

They should cancel
the race.

Why?

He made a mistake,
went into the corner too fast.

It's his fault.

-Is that right?
-It's obvious.

Look at the tire marks.

So says the nobody
who had to pay for his own drive.

How's that working
out for you, by the way?

Fine. How is it
at the back?

Not planning on
being there for long.

(SCOFFS)

ANNOUNCER: Ten minutes
to the warm-up lap. Ten minutes.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

Arsehole.

JAMES: Heading into
the Grand Hotel hairpin, second gear.

Turn in hard,
looking for late apex, gentle with the bar.

Heading into Portier,
second gear, clip the apex,

light brake, stay in second,
looking for a good exit.

Heading through the tunnel,
gradual right,

up through third,
fourth, fifth...

SUZY: Is Alexander around?

JAMES: Uh, yes, he was.

He went back to
the house to take a call. He'll be back shortly.

He only wanted to show
me his pride and joy.

Rhymes with "boy,"
if you ask me.

And "toy."

God, it's so flimsy.

For something
that costs so much.

There's no comfort,
no protection, nothing.

No, it's just
a little coffin, really.

Surrounded by
high-octane fuel in here.

Being driven round
170 miles per hour.

To all intents
and purposes,

this thing's a bomb
on wheels.

You're James,
aren't you?

Yes.

You fit the description.

Is that right?

Suzy.
Friend of Alex's.

Yeah, yeah.
I know exactly.

JAMES: What was
the description?

SUZY: Mostly positive
in terms of appearance.

Negative only in
terms of character.

I've been told
to avoid you.

By whom?

Alexander.
He says you're a bad boy.

Oh, Alexander doesn't know
what he's talking about.

I was. I'm not anymore.

The new me is
very professional.

Early to bed,
early to rise.

All very dull,
but according to the team,

(IN GERMAN ACCENT) "The best way to keep
beating the goose stepper."

Is that what you were
doing when I came in?

Yes, visualization
techniques, memorizing the circuit,

in this case, uh, Monaco,
which is up next.

(HORSE WHINNYING)

Personally,
I've always been a great believer in

getting there on the day,

putting my foot down
and playing chicken with everyone else.

(LAUGHS)

But they don't want
me doing that anymore.

They want my body
like a temple and my mind like a monk.

And what about
your soul, your heart?

Well, they've got
ideas about that, too.

They want me to
stop messing around,

settle down, get married
with the next nice girl I meet.

They think it would
be good for me.

Mmm. What do you think?

It sounds fucking awful.

(LAUGHS)

But since they're right
about most things,

-they're probably right about that, too.
-Hmm.

You don't fancy
getting married, do you?

(LAUGHS)

(CHURCH BELLS RINGING)

(ALL CHEERING)

(WHOOPS)

Suzy.

MAN: Bravo!

Hey, hey, hey!

-What's going on with him?
-Nothing. Nothing.

BUBBLES: Didn't want
to ruin your day.

It's, uh, the Kraut.

What about him?

He's just been
signed by Ferrari.

You're kidding me. Jesus.
How did that happen?

Did he buy his way
in there, too?

Well, the old man
took Regazzoni back,

and he insisted
on it, apparently.

BUBBLES: He says
that Niki's a genius setting up the cars.

It's terrible.
Drives like a pig.

Oh, you can't say that.

Why not?

It's a Ferrari.

It's a shitbox.

It understeers like crazy,
and the weight distribution is a disaster.

It's amazing,
all these facilities

and you make
a piece of crap like this.

Huh?

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

"Ferrari family,"
"our good friend Clay Regazzoni."

You are family and friend
to the commendatore as long as you win.

The minute you don't,
ciao, ciao.

I totally understand.
It's business. I would do the same.

REGAZZONI: But it isn't
just business, is it? What we do.

It's passion, love.

Which is why
we are prepared to risk our lives for it.

Not me.

If I had more talent
and could earn

better money
with something else,

I would.

How do you know you
will make money here?

You haven't yet.

Not yet, but I will.

If you can, I can.

You know, are you ever
not an asshole?

(CHUCKLES)

-Why am I an asshole?
-Well...

You know, by now
I'm both quicker than you

and better at
setting up the car.

You can't deal with it,
so you're the asshole.

Oh, screw you.

(ENGINE REVVS)

I brought you along today
because you seem like a lonely kind of guy.

I thought if
I introduced you to some nice people,

that could rub off
on you.

Forget it.
Make your own friends.

Come on, Clay.
I'm sorry.

(CLAY TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

(EXHALES)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

-Are you leaving?
-(TRUNK DOOR OPENS)

Yes.

Can you give me a lift
to the nearest town,

anywhere with
a train station?

Sure. Trento's
half an hour's drive.

Get in.

(MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO)

(SINGING ALONG)

What are you doing?

You hear that noise
when you accelerate?

No.

Your fan belt is loose.

My what?

And when you brake,
your foot goes all the way down,

which means there's air
in the system.

Anything else?

No.

Apart from the rear brakes
are worn out,

the front right
tire's a bit soft,

-which explains why you're weaving so much.
-Hmm.

How can you tell?

-My ass.
-Sorry?

God gave me
an okay mind,

but a really good ass
which can feel everything in a car.

You don't know what
you're talking about. This car is fine.

I just had a service
a week ago.

Not a good one.

Yes, a very good one,
very expensive.

This car is
as good as new. Relax.

(MUSIC STARTS PLAYING)

MARLENE: You're not
in a hurry, are you?

NIKI: No.

As long as
I'm back in Maranello Monday morning.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

Ja.

-Marlene.
-Niki.

(CAR APPROACHING)

(EXHALES)

(BRAKES SCREECHING)

(ENGINE REVVING)

(AGREES IN GERMAN)

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

Yes.

(LAUGHING)

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

Actually, we do, yeah.

It's my honor, Niki,
please.

Thank you.
Thank you.

My car is your car.

On one condition, though.
It's a piece of shit. It's dog shit.

MAN: But if you drive it,
you make my life, Niki, eh?

(CONTINUES SPEAKING ITALIAN)

Will someone please tell me
what's going on?

Who are you?
Should I know you?

MAN 1: What,
you don't know?

He's Niki Lauda,
Formula One driver,

-and he just signed with Ferrari.
-Ha!

-Him?
-MAN 1: Yes.

Impossible.

MAN 1: Why?

Well, you know,
Formula One drivers,

they have long hair,
are sexy,

their shirts
are open to here.

-Thank you.
-Yes.

Anyway, look at
the way he's driving, like an old man.

NIKI: There's no need
to drive fast.

It just increases
the percentage of risk.

We're not in a hurry.
I'm not being paid.

Right now, with zero
incentive or reward, why would I drive fast?

Because I'm asking you to.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(ENGINE REVVING)

(GASPS)

(BOTH LAUGHING)

(MAN WHOOPING)

(LAUGHING)

(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

(TRUCK HORN HONKS)

(LAUGHING)

COMMENTATOR: This is an incredible battle
between Niki Lauda in the red Ferrari

and James Hunt
in the white Hesketh.

...the challenge
of Niki Lauda...

COMMENTATOR:
Lauda attacking Hunt.

Lauda gets through
on the inside.

Goes wide at the exit.

Hunt is past again.

Once more, Lauda tries
to sneak up the inside.

They're absolutely
side by side, wheel to wheel.

So evenly matched.

Fantastic battle
between these two great drivers.

Hunt is now ahead once more.

But Lauda's
coming back again now.

Lauda once more
sneaks up the inside.

And again he runs wide.
Again, the Hesketh...

MAN: Suzy, we're ready,
come on.

Just one second.

Can we go, yeah?

Okay, yeah.
(CLEARS THROAT)

We're in the closing laps
of this race here at Watkins Glen.

They come down the hill.

And Hunt's got a problem!

Hunt pulls across
to the left.

Lauda goes ahead
on his own.

A sad end
to a wonderful battle.

Hunt pushing off
the marshal.

The checkered flag
is waiting for Lauda and for Ferrari.

The title going
to Niki Lauda,

who wins the race,
who wins the World Championship.

(ALL CHEERING)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

-Congratulations.
-Thank you.

-(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
-Marlene.

With a car like that,
the rest of us never really

stood a chance,
did we?

Maybe the fact the car is so good
has something to do with me.

Oh, come on, Niki.
You're in a Ferrari. I'm in a Hesketh.

Equal terms, the way it was in Formula
Three, I'd beat you and you know it.

Never.

You might win one race,
maybe two,

because you're aggressive.

But in the long run,
over the course of a season, no chance.

Right. Why's that?

Because to be a champion,
it takes more than just being quick.

-It's the whole picture.
-Uh.

You're just a charger
and a party guy.

(CHUCKLING)

That's why everybody
likes you.

Ah, try saying that
and tell me you're not jealous.

(CHUCKLES)

Why would I be jealous?
Think about it.

All that affection,
all those smiles

-is a sign of disrespect.
-Oh.

They don't fear you.
Whereas compare that to me.

-Yes, compared to you, whom no one likes.
-Right.

Not even his
own teammates.

Right. Because
I'm a serious guy.

I go to bed early,
I look after myself, look after my car.

Yes, you're very
well-behaved.

Go to work, kick ass.

And then after the race,
I go home instead of going to bars

and talk all this bullshit
with all these assholes.

Arseholes?

You should go home
more often, too.

I heard you got married.

Yes, I did.

So where is she,
this mysterious wife?

-In New York, working.
-Oh.

You know, I've never
seen you with her once.

No?

Well, maybe that's because
you're always at home,

on your own,
looking after yourself, being a good little boy.

Take a drink
on me, James.

Thank you, Niki.
I might just have two.

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

JAMES: Right, Bubbles,
whatever it takes to beat that prick next year,

just say it,
your word is my command.

There are no lengths
to which I will not go. And I mean it.

What the hell's going on?

Where is everybody?
What's the matter?

(DOOR OPENS)

Do you know what
the date is today?

Yes, it's November
the 14th. Why?

Do you, uh, have any idea
of the significance of that date?

I don't know. Time to
start killing pheasants?

Actually, it's the deadline
for securing sponsorship

for the forthcoming
Formula One season.

Yes?

Which elapsed at
midnight last night and we didn't attract any.

Well, so? We aren't looking
for sponsorship.

Like you said,
condoms and cigarettes, vulgar, right?

(SIGHS)

Right.

Except we are, or were.

I've made something
of a miscalculation.

The economics,
Formula One, realities thereof.

It turns out not like
the lower divisions at all.

What are you saying?

I'm saying it's over,
Superstar.

The banks have stepped in,
started laying everyone off.

Probably have
to sell this place.

Oh, Christ.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(SIGHS)

(COUGHING)

(MUSIC STOPS PLAYING)

I need a drive, Pete.
I need you to find me a drive.

(STAMMERING)
I mean, what about Lotus?

You don't wanna know.

Actually, I do.

PETER: Okay. Uh...

(SIGHS) They felt your
reputation preceded you.

And what does that mean?

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

It's my other line.
Look, I'll get back to you.

(SIGHS) Peter Hunt.

-Fuck.
-(BIRDS CHEEPING)

(SIGHS)

Don't worry.
Something will turn up.

Doubt that will help
in the meantime.

(SIGHS)

Why don't we go away
at the weekend?

Skiing.
Before I go back to New York.

Talk to me, James.
Don't make a stranger of me.

You know, Suzy,
only a stranger would invite me skiing

when they know
I haven't got a fucking drive.

I can't watch this.

What were you
hoping for anyway?

A well-adjusted knight
in shining armor?

No danger of that.

-You know, let me give you some advice.
-SUZY: I'm all ears.

Don't go to men who are
willing to kill themselves driving in circles

looking for normality.

I never expected normality.

God knows
I walked into this with my eyes open.

I just hoped
I'd married someone

who was half as impressive
on the inside as he is on the outside.

At least there's something
behind the facade.

-Oh, James.
-Fuck off to New York, dear.

There must be a moisturizer
or an eye shadow somewhere

that needs your
vapid mush to flog it.

(SIGHS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(CHIRPING)

(TELEPHONE RINGING)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(CLEARS THROAT)

-Hello?
-PETER: Hi, James.

It's Peter.
Something's up at McLaren.

What have you heard?

Oh, nothing. Why?

I heard Emerson's off.
He's dumped them in it.

Jesus.
Get me in there, Pete.

Say anything,
just get me in that room.

TEDDY: I'll come straight
to the point.

Our esteemed lead driver...

Fitti-fucking-paldi.

TEDDY: ...has ditched us
for another team at the last minute.

CALDWELL: Coper-fucking-sucar.

TEDDY: And we need
a replacement.

ASA-fucking-P.

(SIGHS)

Fortunately, a few hands
have already gone up, good people.

Jacky Ickx.

I'm quicker than Jacky.

But he's consistent,
dependable.

A grown-up.

Right, and will he go
for that gap when no one else will?

Will be put his life on
the line the day that it really matters?

JOHN: The sponsors like him.

What do you want,
a driver or a brush salesman?

-We wanna be successful.
-JAMES: Yes, so do I.

But that means
beating Niki Lauda,

not being a show pony
for sponsors.

TEDDY: I heard about
this thing with Niki.

Everyone has.

You really think
you can beat him?

I'd beat him in a McLaren.

It's the only car out there
as quick as the Ferrari.

Which is why
I'm here, begging.

Look, I'll do
whatever you ask.

I'll put on a tie,
I'll smile for sponsors, say the right things.

I can beat this guy,
trust me.

Just give me the drive.

BUBBLES: Yeah,
he can be a loose cannon.

And, yeah,
he will drive you all mad,

but in terms of raw
talent and right stuff,

there is no better
driver in the world.

BUBBLES:
He's the real thing, Teddy.

-He's what we all came into this for.
-Mmm.

Nine days out of 10,
you'll be pulling your hair out,

but on that 10th day,
James will be unbeatable.

And that is the day
you will wish you had him in your car.

You will never
win the championship with Jacky Ickx.

You just might with James.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

STIRLING: Welcome to São Paulo,
Brazil, and the Interlagos circuit

for the first race
in the 1976 Formula One season,

where the main news
is that James Hunt has qualified fastest,

beating Niki Lauda's Ferrari

to pole position by
just two hundredths of a second.

(SIGHS) New car.

-I noticed.
-Pole position.

I noticed that, too.

Level playing field now,
my ratty little friend.

Yeah. Let's see where
we are after lap one.

Let's see where we are
in five races' time.

(CHUCKLING)

Hunt has the pit
lane pole position,

which should give
him the best chance

of outdragging
Lauda's Ferrari.

If ever there was
a doubt about

whether Lauda
had a serious challenger to this season,

Hunt and his McLaren
have certainly given us the answer.

(ENGINES REVVING)

COMMENTATOR:
Here in South Africa,

James Hunt is determined
to make amends

after that disastrous
retirement in Brazil.

But it's Lauda
who takes the flag here at Kyalami.

James Hunt comes
home second to confirm

his championship
challenge at last

and score his first points
of the season.

You know, that wind
you can feel

is me breathing
down your neck.

Next time,
I'll have you.

We'll see in Spain.

COMMENTATOR:
James Hunt finally takes his first

victory of the season
here in Spain,

after a brilliant drive.

It was only
a matter of time.

(CROWD CHEERING)

(INAUDIBLE)

It's too wide.

Disqualified.

What?

You're disqualified.

CALDWELL: How can
we be disqualified?

-1.5 centimeters.
-It's the same car.

(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

COMMENTATOR: ...McLaren M23 has
proved very controversial here.

Just make it narrower.
I don't care how.

CALDWELL: New rear
suspension. New wishbones.

I wanna make sure
this thing is legal, no doubts.

Well, then we'd better move the oil
coolers back to the old position.

MECHANIC 2:
With the oil coolers back,

the wing brackets need
to be changed, too.

Fuck.

CALDWELL: What the fuck
do you think we're doing?

COMMENTATOR: And with Hunt
disqualified from his Spain win,

his championship year
is not going well.

And now it's all gone
wrong here at Monaco!

His engine is smoking.

(COMMENTATOR SPEAKING FRENCH)

Smoke pouring
from the engine of that McLaren.

And James Hunt is out.

James, can you
tell us what happened?

Sure. It's magic,
we've taken a great car,

a great piece
of engineering

and overnight turned it into
a big, huge stinking turd.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(CROWD SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

Shit!

What the hell have you done?

The car's evil.
It's fucking undriveable!

(CLATTERS)

James, look, if there's
a problem with the car, we'll find it and fix it.

The car is a piece of shit.
You should be appealing this.

-MAYER: We are appealing.
-We will sort it out.

They're killing us out there.

CALDWELL: Oh, go
and get your dick wet.

-You're a wanker.
-JAMES: Fuck you.

CALDWELL:
You're a fucking wanker.

But this was a good
race for you, no, Niki?

It's good for everyone that the quickest
car happens to be a legal car.

James, you're 50 points
behind Lauda in the championship.

You've had another
retirement today. What's going wrong?

Oh, it's dirty politics
and dirty tricks, that's what's going wrong.

COMMENTATOR:
So as we approach the halfway point

in this year's
Formula One season,

Ferrari and Niki Lauda
seem clearly on top,

and James Hunt
and McLaren are struggling.

So, five races in,
how's it going so far?

It's fine.

Just got a little problem
with an Austrian rat

and his team of Italian cheats
who have destroyed my car.

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about
the race in Spain that I won.

Yeah, in a car
which is not legal.

Five-eighths
of an inch too wide.

You know that doesn't have
the slightest effect on speed.

But you complained and your team of
lawyers leaned on the authorities.

Now we've had to
rebuild the car and it's become a monster.

At least
it's a legal monster.

So you've had
to resort to cheating.

You're driving an illegal car
and call me the cheat?

It's pathetic.
Rules are rules.

Yes, and rats are rats.

Thank you. Thank you.

Do you really think
it upsets me, James,

calling me a rat
because I look like one?

I don't mind it.

Rats are ugly, sure,
and nobody likes them,

but they're very intelligent
and they have a strong survival instinct.

-Wonderful.
-Marlene, come.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

No wonder she left him.

(CAR DOOR CLOSES)

Anyone seen Suzy?

JAMES: She's supposed
to be here today.

We, uh, didn't wanna
tell you before the race.

Tell me what?

Jesus.

Is that from him?

Yeah.

So when did
all this start?

That weekend
I went skiing.

Why have you
come here, James?

I've come to get you back.

You don't want me back.

You never wanted
to be married in the first place.

Yes, I did.

Oh, come on, James.

You did it because
you hoped it might change you,

settle you down,
help with the racing.

(STAMMERING) No, I didn't.

And who knows,
if it had been just the drinking

or the dope
or the infidelity or the moods,

it might even
have worked.

-But when it's all of them...
-Yes, I know, I'm terrible.

No, you're not terrible.

You're just who you are
at this point in your life.

God help anyone
who wants more.

(CHUCKLES)

And Richard Burton,
will he be able to give you more?

You know,
he has quite the bad boy reputation himself.

What's important is
how it feels to me,

and it feels like
he adores me.

-James!
-(ALL CLAMORING)

REPORTER: Are you and Suzy
getting back together?

JAMES: It's all very amicable.

My wife has found
herself a new backer...

I mean lover,
which makes her happy.

And, uh, Mr. Burton has
found a way of feeling young again,

which makes him happy.

Let's hope his
pockets are deep.

-They'll need to be.
-(ALL LAUGH)

And I've found
a way to be single and have an ex-wife

without it costing
me a penny,

which has got to go down
as the biggest win of my career.

(ALL LAUGH)

I have a flight to catch.

(ALL TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

(ENGINE STARTS)

(INHALES)

(GASPING)

(GRUNTING)

COMMENTATOR:
We haven't seen this sort of intensity

from James Hunt
all season long.

Reports have been
coming out of the McLaren camp all week

that their car is
now fully legal and faster than ever.

(ENGINE REVVING)

(COMMENTATOR SPEAKING FRENCH)

(CHEERING)

Never mind the bloody wets.
We're still quick.

Hunt has really closed
the gap on Lauda as they head into Druids.

(ENGINES REVVING)

COMMENTATOR: Niki Lauda
is under real pressure from James Hunt

as they go up the hill
into Druids Corner.

(CROWD CHEERING)

And Hunt is in front
of Lauda!

COMMENTATOR:
So James Hunt gets the plaudits of the crowd,

the first Briton to win
a British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch

since Jim Clark in 1964.

(CROWD CHEERING)

James, at the moment, you've got a terrific
edge over the rest of the field.

How have you achieved
this advantage?

Big balls.

(CHUCKLES)

Following an inquiry
into the disqualification

of driver James Hunt
from the Spanish Grand Prix,

it has been decided
to overturn this disqualification

and to restore his victory
and reinstate his points.

(CHEERING)

(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

James, a few weeks ago, you were out of the
running for the season completely,

and now you're
right back in it. What's changed?

Ah, it's a combination of factors, not all of
which I'm prepared to discuss here.

But, uh, justice being done,
re: the disqualification in Spain, helps,

and having my car back
at its best again.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(ALL LAUGHING)

(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

(REGISTRAR SPEAKING GERMAN)

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(CHUCKLING)

COMMENTATOR: Welcome to
the legendary Nürburgring.

This is a 14.2 mile track,

complete with 185
corners and bends.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(GROANING IN PAIN)

(SIREN WAILING)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

STIRLING: Welcome to
the Nürburgring,

the most dangerous circuit
on the season calendar.

In Formula One,
it is known as the Graveyard.

The weather conditions
are far from ideal,

and latest reports indicate
there is no relief in sight.

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

OFFICER: Gentlemen.

Well, gentlemen,
please be quiet.

Thank you. Niki Lauda.

Thank you.

I called this meeting because,
as all you drivers know,

the Nürburgring is
the most stupid, barbaric, outdated

and dangerous track
in the world.

You've all seen the rain
that has been falling today.

Now, those of you
with experience know

the ring needs
perfect conditions

to be even remotely
acceptable in terms of risk.

And today, with the rain,
it's anything but perfect,

so I called this meeting
to take a vote to cancel the race.

(ALL CLAMORING)

There would be no change to the
situation, as far as points is concerned.

The race would
simply be canceled.

This is bullshit.

If the race
is canceled, none of us get our race fees.

That's true,

you leave without your fee,
but you might leave with your life.

JAMES: It also means that
you would effectively win the championship.

So I can see why
this suits you just fine.

Why?
There would be no points for me, either.

No, but there would be
one race less

where I, or anyone else here,
could catch you.

James is right.
This is just tactics.

BRETT: Maybe
he's just frightened.

Which asshole said this?

Yes, of course
I'm frightened, and so are you.

I accept every time
I get in my car,

there is 20% chance
I could die, and I can live with it,

but not 1% more.

And today, with the rain,
the risk is more.

I suppose that all
depends on how good you are in the rain.

I have the track record here.

I am the only
person in history

to do the ring in
under seven minutes,

so actually,
it's to my advantage to race here today.

Because I'm quicker
than all of you.

(CLAMORING)

Come on.

Fine. Then let's race.

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

-ARTURO: Niki, let's race.
-OFFICER: Gentlemen, please.

Why are we here, Niki?
Come on.

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

(SIGHS)

Well, all those in favor
of canceling the race.

(EXHALES)

All those in favor
of racing.

OFFICER: Gentlemen,
the race is on.

(CHEERING)

(INDISTINCT MURMUR)

-MAN 1: Ridiculous.
-MAN 2: What a waste of time.

You know, Niki, every now and
then, it helps if people like you.

(ENGINE STARTS)

(ENGINE REVVING)

STIRLING: In places the track
is still dangerously wet,

but following
a drivers' meeting,

a decision has
finally been taken...

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

ANNOUNCER: One minute to go.

(ENGINE REVVING)

Jochen's going on slicks.
You wanna change?

JAMES: Is Niki gonna change?

CALDWELL: No.

Then we stay
on wets, too.

(COMMENTATOR SPEAKING GERMAN)

MECHANIC: Niki, okay?

NIKI: I'm good.

All right, fire her up.

(ENGINES REVVING)

COMMENTATOR: This season's fight for
the Formula One World Championship

has so far been
the story of two men.

Thus far, it's been going
pretty much the way of Niki Lauda.

But James Hunt
has qualified fastest here.

He is on pole position
for the German Grand Prix

with Niki Lauda alongside
in the blood-red Ferrari.

It's a long race.

If the track starts
to dry out,

the wet-weather tires
will no longer be as quick.

(ENGINES REVVING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(CROWD CHEERING)

Niki Lauda and James Hunt,
side by side on the front row of the grid,

go away absolutely as one.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

Lauda very aggressive on Hunt there,
forcing the McLaren onto the grass.

Lauda has the lead
at the moment.

Lauda leads into
the first corner.

Hunt is in second place.

(ENGINE REVVING)

COMMENTATOR:
Mass storming past Hunt!

He made the right choice
to go with the dry-weather tires.

Mass passing Lauda now!

Jochen Mass,
in the number 12 McLaren, takes the lead!

Jochen Mass
the clear leader,

with everybody else
making the decision

to change tires after
just one lap of this race.

He's coming in!
Come on, let's go!

See? I told you
to go on slicks.

You should have
taken my advice.

Fuck off. Where's Niki?

CALDWELL: Behind you.
He made the same mistake.

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

Come on!

(CLATTERING)

Come on!
What's going on?

The tire-changing
frenzy has caused

a huge reshuffling
of the pack,

with Jochen Mass
in the lead now.

-CREWMAN: You're clear. Go!
-(ENGINE REVVS)

Lauda urging his
mechanics to hurry.

(SHOUTING)

It's a disaster! Come on!

(TIRES SCREECH)

What's going on,
asshole?

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(ENGINE REVVING)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(ENGINE REVVING)

This race has gone
wrong for him so far.

His championship rival,
James Hunt, is a long way up the road.

(WHISTLING)

COMMENTATOR:
Lauda passing car after car.

He's just going past
Mario Andretti's Lotus there.

(ENGINE REVVING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(GROANS)

Niki!

(COUGHING)

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

Get me out! Help me!

ANNOUNCER:
Several cars are involved.

Looks like it might be
one of the Ferraris.

(RADIO ANNOUNCER
SPEAKING GERMAN)

-(GROANS)
-DRIVER 1: Come this way.

DRIVER 2: Come on,
come on, come on!

(NIKI GROANING IN PAIN)

(GASPING)

(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

DRIVER: Keep trying.

-DRIVER 1: Come this way.
-DRIVER 2: Okay.

(RADIO ANNOUNCER
SPEAKING GERMAN)

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

(GASPING)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(PRIEST SPEAKING GERMAN)

(WHEEZING)

(ECG BEEPS)

REPORTER: The flood, which swept down
Big Thompson Canyon in Colorado,

was the worst
since records began.

In Formula One today,
victory celebrations were muted

after a horrific accident
involving World Champion Niki Lauda.

Due to safety concerns
before the race,

the Austrian had said
he would not take part,

but in the end, he did.

He was making up for lost time
when he went off the track,

puncturing
the Ferrari's fuel tank.

Brett Lunger
was unable to avoid the flaming wreck,

but was unhurt and joined with the
other drivers to rescue Lauda,

who was taken
to Mannheim Hospital with severe burns,

the incident reminding
us again of the dangers of Formula One.

Niki Lauda was trapped
for almost a minute

in a searing inferno
of 800-plus degrees.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(ECG BEEPING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(MAN SPEAKING GERMAN)

(NIKI WHIMPERING)

(GROANING)

(GRUNTING)

(NIKI GROANING IN AGONY)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(MAN SPEAKING GERMAN)

(CHOKING)

(GROANING)

(CONTINUES SPEAKING GERMAN)

(GROANING)

(COUGHING)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(GROANS)

(GROANING)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(GROANING)

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

-JAMES: Morning, chaps.
-MAYER: Hey, here's the man.

Looking good.

(TALKING INDISTINCTLY)

-JAMES: What's going on?
-CALDWELL: Jesus. It's Niki.

What about him?

He's here.

-What?
-He's racing.

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

Niki.

It's that bad, huh?

No.

In hospital I asked
them straight, no bullshit,

how bad my
appearance would be.

They said with time
it would be fine.

But it won't.

I can tell,
seeing your reaction.

I will spend
the rest of my life

with a face that
frightens people.

You know, Niki,
I tried to write you

a letter at the time,
to apologize.

The drivers'
meeting in Germany, before the race.

I swayed the room.

Yes, you did.

That race should
never have gone ahead.

No, it shouldn't.

So in many ways,
I feel responsible for what happened and...

You were.

But trust me,

watching you win those
races while I was fighting for my life,

you were equally
responsible for getting me back in the car.

(INDISTINCT MURMURING)

(CAMERA CLICKING)

How are you
feeling, Niki?

Fine.

Niki, can you confirm
to us exactly which procedures you've had

and the expectations
for your recovery?

Sure.

I had a skin graft operation
where they put half my right thigh in my face.

Now, it doesn't look too good,

but one unexpected
advantage is

it's impossible to perspire
through a skin graft,

so sweat will never run into my eyes
again, which is good for a driver.

(LAUGHING)

When they heard
about your condition,

Ferrari immediately hired
a replacement driver, Carlos Reutemann.

Yeah, before even
reaching the hospital.

MAN: Is Reutemann
driving today, too?

Yes, and keen to
make an impression.

So let's see where Mr. Reutemann
finishes and where I finish today.

(CROWD CHUCKLING)

James Hunt and McLaren
have caught up a lot while you were away.

Yes.

So is there a question
now or are you just trying to piss me off?

(LAUGHING)

You still think you can win?

Yes, of course.

I have the better car.

And possibly I'm
the better driver.

But he's a clever guy
and he's used his time well

while I was lying
half-dead in hospital to win some points.

(LIGHT CHUCKLING)

And what did your wife say
when she saw your face?

She said,
"Sweetie, you don't need a face to drive.

"You just need
a right foot."

(CROWD CHUCKLING)

BRITISH JOURNALIST:
I'm being serious.

Do you really think your marriage can
survive with the way you look now?

And I'm being serious, too.

Fuck you.
Press conference over.

(INDISTINCT MURMURS)

JOURNALIST: That was hairy.

MAN: You know how to
get noticed, Clive, I'll tell you that.

I thought it went well,
to be honest.

They don't like it
when it's not going their way.

-Clive.
-That's the game.

See you.

See you later.

-James, are you all right?
-Good, yeah.

Listen, I think I've
got something for you

on that last question,
about Niki.

You heard about that?
Did you see...

(CHUCKLES)

James.

(GRUNTING)

Please, James...

Now go home to your wife
and ask her how you look.

Prick.

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(COMMENTATOR SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(DOOR OPENS)

(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

So Niki Lauda,
just 42 days after

his near-fatal
accident at Nürburgring,

will race here today at Monza

against all medical
advice and no doubt in incredible pain.

(CONTINUES SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(CROWD CHEERING)

MECHANIC: Niki, it's time.

Okay?

(ENGINES REVVING)

ANNOUNCER:
Please clear the grid.

One minute to go.

(ENGINE REVVING)

(ENGINE ROARING)

(COMMENTATOR 1
SPEAKING ITALIAN)

COMMENTATOR 2: The returning
Niki Lauda seems overwhelmed.

He's being overtaken
by car after car.

(COMMENTATOR 1
SPEAKING ITALIAN)

COMMENTATOR 2:
Lauda's off line. He runs wide onto the grass.

He wrestles it
back onto the track,

but that was
a bad moment for Niki.

Niki Lauda's
the reigning World Champion,

but maybe in
his current state, he's a danger out there

to himself and to
the rest of the field.

And Stuck has collided with
Mario Andretti's Lotus!

Niki's boxed in.
He's got nowhere to go.

(COMMENTATOR 1
SPEAKING ITALIAN)

COMMENTATOR 2: Niki Lauda is actually
making a move. He's on Brambilla's tail.

He pulls out of
the slipstream to overtake.

Lauda's starting
to find the form

that early in this race
we believed he'd lost.

Lauda's now lapping faster than
Reutemann and closing the gap ahead.

Lauda closing on
Carlos Reutemann,

the man called in
to be his replacement in the Ferrari team.

And there's
James Hunt's McLaren,

smoking stationary by
the side of the road.

This is bad news
for Hunt's championship hopes.

It's Ronnie Peterson
who comes home the winner here at Monza.

But all eyes are on
the man who finishes a brilliant fourth!

Niki Lauda!

(CROWD CHEERING)

(COMMENTATOR 1
SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

STIRLING: What a race,
what a man, what a season.

With a fourth-place finish
and three priceless points,

it means that Niki Lauda
is a major step closer

to retaining the
World Championship.

(THUNDER CRACKING)

COMMENTATOR: So the long,
grueling and incredibly dramatic season

comes down to this final race in
Japan in the shadow of Mount Fuji.

Niki Lauda goes into
this deciding race at Fuji

just three points
ahead of James Hunt,

Hunt knowing he
must beat the Austrian

fair and square
to take the title.

James, do you think
you can cope with the pressure?

Well, I've never
really understood what that means.

I love my job.

I love competing.
I love racing.

Maybe you should ask Niki.

He's the World Champion.
He's got everything to lose.

Mr. Lauda,
are you feeling pressure?

Do I look like I'm
feeling pressure?

I am World Champion

and on the verge
to become World Champion again.

Hunt now has
the opportunity to win,

but it's not so easy
to become a champion.

You have to really
believe it to make it possible.

(CHUCKLES)

James, is there
anything you'd like to add?

If Niki is being tricky and getting a kicky
out of playing mind games...

(CHUCKLING)

...then fine, I'm flattered.

But the fact is
momentum is with me. I've never felt better.

And I fully expect
the next press conference we will have

will be with me
as World Champion.

(REPORTERS CLAMORING)

Intermittent heavy rain
has been forecast here at Fuji today,

along with strong winds and occasional fog
rolling in from the mountain.

And so with today's
Japanese Grand Prix

to come, Lauda's lead
a mere three points.

What a way to
finish the season.

Hunt or Lauda?

Well, the final chapter will unfold when we
bring you extended coverage...

They've got to
cancel the race. It's lethal out there.

The race is going ahead.

Television rights
have been sold all around the world.

The showdown between
you and Niki is all anyone wants to see.

COMMENTATOR:
With heavy rain continuing to fall here at Fuji,

a decision has
finally been made.

The 1976 Japanese
Grand Prix will go ahead.

ANNOUNCER: All drivers
to your cars, please.

(SIGHS)

(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING JAPANESE)

Five minutes to go.

(RETCHING)

(EXHALES)

(DISTANT WHISTLE BLOWING)

(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING JAPANESE)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(CONTINUES SPEAKING JAPANESE)

(MECHANIC SPEAKING ITALIAN)

-CALDWELL: All right?
-JAMES: All right.

-Hold still.
-What the hell are you doing?

To let the condensation out.

It'll also let
the water in.

Not if you're leading.

Trust me, this race
is all about the start.

TEDDY: Need a hand here?

CALDWELL:
Yeah, hold it, Teddy.

Okay, start the bastard.

(ENGINE STARTING)

Good luck, kid.

TEDDY: Good luck, James.

(MAN WHISTLING)

(ENGINE REVVING)

(INDISTINCT TALKING)

ANNOUNCER:
Thirty seconds to go.

(ENGINES REVVING)

(ALL CARS REVVING)

COMMENTATOR:
Electric tension here at Fuji.

Eighty-thousand
bedraggled race fans

and the racing grudge
match of the decade.

And there's Mario Andretti in pole
position, James Hunt alongside him.

On row two of the grid,
there is Niki Lauda,

and on row three
of the grid, Jody Scheckter

from South Africa in
the six-wheel Tyrrell.

Behind him,
the rest of the 25-car field.

(INDISTINCT YELLING)

There's the flag and
finally the Japanese Grand Prix is underway!

(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING
INDISTINCTLY)

(CROWD CHEERING)

In these conditions,
it must be almost impossible

to drive a 450-horsepower car.

And it's Andretti
who has the lead, but Hunt is attacking.

Hunt's going round
the outside of Andretti.

Niki Lauda
following him through.

Hunt leads into
the first right-hander.

(INDISTINCT COMMENTARY)

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

(SPEAKING FRENCH)

COMMENTATOR: Hunt comes through to
complete his first lap, leading the field.

At least he has clear
vision in front of him.

Niki Lauda, behind him,
eating his spray.

Lauda is slowing.

Niki Lauda is bringing
the Ferrari number one into the pit.

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

Some sort of problem,
we can't imagine what, so early in the race.

MECHANIC: What's wrong with the
car? What's wrong with the car?

Niki, what's wrong
with the car?

Nothing. Car's perfect.

(MECHANIC SPEAKS ITALIAN)

What are you doing?

I'm stopping.

COMMENTATOR: His mechanics are
asking what the problem is.

But wait! Niki Lauda's
getting out of the car!

This is sensational!

The reigning World
Champion, Niki Lauda, is out of this race.

-It's too dangerous.
-(SPEAKS ITALIAN)

Niki, you want me
to say there was

a problem with the car,
for the media?

No.

Tell them the truth.

COMMENTATOR:
Now, what is happening?

They're talking to
the team manager.

Lauda explaining something.

With Lauda out,
James Hunt knows

he has to finish
this race in third place

or higher to be
World Champion.

But the job's not
done yet for James Hunt.

In these dreadful
conditions, he still has to go the distance.

Fifteen laps to
go here at Fuji. James Hunt or Niki Lauda?

This extraordinary
season is not over yet.

In this treacherous final
round, can James Hunt hang on?

And the scoreboard
tells a story. Lap 58.

Hunt in the lead.

Oh, God, his tires,
they're blistering.

Brambilla very
close behind now,

closing on him
all the time now.

And he's trying to
drive inside James Hunt.

Hunt cuts across
the orange March nose.

Hunt's not having that at all.
And he's spinning.

He missed Hunt,
but almost took James Hunt out of the race

and out of
the World Championship.

Now we find Mario Andretti
closing on James Hunt.

Mario Andretti's
going past Hunt!

Hunt is slowing.
James Hunt seems to have a problem.

Despite these wet conditions,

these wet-weather tires
do wear extremely fast.

Hunt's tires,
they've gone.

Hunt nursing his car
back to the pit stop.

That back marker's
going past Hunt.

Look at that left front tire,
right front tire, sorry.

No tread on it at all.
And the other one is flat.

JAMES: Let's go! Let's go!

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

(JAMES GRUNTS)

Okay? When did you
break your gear lever?

Nine or 10 laps ago.

We need to lift it.
Alistair, we need to lift it!

Come on!

-MECHANIC: At the front.
-JAMES: Let's go.

COMMENTATOR: Regazzoni's Ferrari and
Jacques Laffite in the Ligier have gone ahead.

Come on, hurry!

MECHANIC: You did it.
You're going to be World Champion!

Not yet.

COMMENTATOR: A few laps ago,
James Hunt was looking like champion-elect.

Now it looks as though
it's all gone wrong for him.

-James.
-Come on!

-Listen.
-What?

Just go easy out there.

What are you saying?

I'm saying look
after yourself.

We want you back in one piece.

You're too far back.
There's too many drivers in front of you.

There's always next year.

So that's it? It's over?

MECHANIC: Clear!

CALDWELL: Okay.

(ENGINE REVVING)

MECHANIC: Clear!

Fuck it!

James Hunt rejoins
the race in sixth position.

There are four
laps left to go.

Surely no way back
for the Brit now.

Concentrate, Superstar.

COMMENTATOR 1: Just brings it
back under control.

Sliding the McLaren
on the very edge there.

COMMENTATOR 2: Hunt's M23 twitching this
way and that under braking.

And he almost
loses it right there.

COMMENTATOR 1: Hunt on the tail of
Jacques Laffite in the blue Ligier.

Oh, don't do it, James.

COMMENTATOR 1: He's inches
away from the pit wall.

He's inches away
from the Ligier.

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

James Hunt has
made up another place,

but it's not enough
and this race is running out.

And Watson has spun.
Watson has spun.

Hunt manages to
weave his way between

that back marker and
the stationary Penske.

He's catching Regazzoni,
but in these conditions,

it's one thing to catch up,
it's quite another to overtake.

He's alongside Clay Regazzoni.

This could be the
world championship.

He's got him!

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

Hunt crosses the line.

Now he needed to
finish third to score

enough points to
be World Champion,

and in the confusion here,

we're being told
that he may have finished fifth.

He finished fifth?

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

COMMENTATOR 1:
Our lap charts show Hunt in third place.

Well, if the
scoreboard's right,

it means he's just missed out
on the championship.

Crushing defeat for Hunt
after such a heroic drive.

I can see the race
stewards conferring,

examining the
official lap charts.

We're just going
to have to wait for their verdict here.

(SPEAKING ITALIAN)

TEDDY: Let's get you
out of there, buddy.

I'm sorry, Teddy. I'm sorry. I thought
I could make up the ground.

"Sorry"? What are you
talking about? You did it.

Did what?

Oh, Jesus.
You crazy bastard.

You came third. You got the
points. You're champion of the world!

COMMENTATOR:
James Hunt is now officially confirmed

as finishing
third here in Japan,

and that means he is
champion of the world.

(CROWD CHEERING)

COMMENTATOR 2:
Our new World Champion, James Hunt,

by just one single point.

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(YELLS)

World bloody Champion!

STIRLING: Tell us,
James, what are you going to do now?

I shall be
getting drunk.

(LAUGHS)

JAMES: It's wonderful,
absolute dream.

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

(SPEAKING GERMAN)

TV SHOW HOST:
And our special guest,

Formula One
champion James Hunt.

(APPLAUDING)

(POP ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)

Wait. Come on.

There's no better
motor oil than Havoline.

(LIGHTER CLICKING)

(LAUGHING)

WOMAN: Yes, me, too.
Where are we going?

Anywhere I want to go.

And I don't have
to hijack it, either. As long as I pay for it.

WOMAN: I'm starving.
Let's get some food.

Whoo!

WOMAN: Where are we going?

JAMES: You lot go ahead.
I won't be a minute.

Niki.

Good to see you.

I heard you were
spending more and more time in one of these.

Do you fly?

(CHUCKLES) No.

I don't think
they'd insure me.

You should try.
It's good for discipline.

You have to stay
within the rules,

stick to regulations,
suppress the ego.

It helps with the racing.

And there I was
thinking you were about

to wax lyrical about
the romance of flight.

No, that's all bullshit.

So what brings you here?

A friend's wedding.
At least I think it was a wedding.

Might have been
a birthday or something. It's all a bit of a blur.

How about you?
Have you been at Fiorano?

Pre-season testing.

-You're relentless.
-Thank you.

I'm not sure that was
meant as a compliment.

When do you
start testing? Next week?

No. What, are you nuts?

I didn't just win the
biggest thing of my life

so I could get
right back to work.

Why? You have to.

To prove to all the people who will always
say you just won it because...

Because of what?
Because of your accident?

Niki, is that other
people or is that you?

I won, okay? On the all-important
day when it came down to it,

we raced on equal terms,
equally good cars.

And I put my life
on the line and I saw it through.

-And you call that winning?
-Yes.

The risks were
totally unacceptable.

(SIGHS)

You were prepared to die.
To me, that's losing.

Yes, I was. I admit it.
I was prepared to die to beat you that day.

And that's the effect
you have on me.

(CHUCKLES)

You'd pushed me that far.
And it felt great.

I mean, hell, isn't that
what we're in this for?

To stare death
in the face and to cheat it?

Come on, there's nobility in that.
It's like being knights.

(LAUGHS) You English,
you're such assholes.

You know my position.

20% risk.

No, no, no, Niki,
don't bring the percentages into this.

Don't be a pro.

The minute you do that,
you kill what's good about this.

You kill the sport.

MAN: James!

James!

I've got to go.

Careful in this thing.

James.

You know, in hospital, the toughest part of
my treatment was the vacuum.

Pumping the shit
out of my lungs. It was hell.

And while doing it,
I was watching television.

You winning all my points.

Your points?

"That bastard, Hunt," I would say.
"I hate that guy."

And then one day,
the doctor came and said,

"Mr. Lauda, may I offer
a piece of advice?

"Stop thinking
of it as a curse

"to have been given
an enemy in life.

"It can be a blessing, too.

"A wise man gets more from his enemies
than a fool from his friends."

And you know what?
He was right.

Now look at us.

We were both a pair
of kids when we met.

Hot-headed jerks
in Formula Three.

(CHUCKLES)

Disowned by our families.
Headed nowhere.

And now we're both
champions of the world.

It was not bad, huh?

No, it's not bad.

So don't let me down now.
I need you busting my balls.

Get back to work.

(CHUCKLES)
I will, Niki, I will.

But I intend to
enjoy myself first.

Some of life needs
to be for pleasure.

What's the point of
having a million cups

and medals and planes if
you don't have any fun?

Now how is that winning?

-MAN: James!
-WOMAN: We're gonna leave without you!

James!

I'll see you on
race day, champ.

You will, champ.

You look good, Niki.

The only guy to have his face burnt off
and it be an improvement.

NIKI: Of course,
he didn't listen to me.

For James,
one world title was enough.

He had proved what
he needed to prove,

to himself and anyone
who doubted him.

And two years later,
he retired.

When I saw him next
in London seven years later,

me as champion again,
him as broadcaster,

he was barefoot on
a bicycle with a flat tire.

Still living each
day like his last.

When I heard he'd died, aged 45,
of a heart attack, I wasn't surprised.

I was just sad.

People always think
of us as rivals,

but he was among
the very few I liked

and even fewer
that I respected.

He remains
the only person I envied.