As little as I know about James Hunt, I know an equal amount about Niki Lauda. Based on my own observations on both drivers, two words come to mind when comparing Niki Lauda to Hunt: polar opposite. When attempting to describe Niki Lauda on his own: genius.
Clash of the titans somehow doesn't even begin to sum up just how big these men really were for Formula 1. The Ron Howard movie 'Rush' is well anticipated among both the Formula 1 community and non motorsport fans. Top class director as well as two top class actors (Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl) well guarantee that the sport well benefit hugely from letting the public gaze into one of the most intensely fought battles.
Fast, Consistent and Well Prepared.
Unlike Hunt, Niki Lauda was already a proven world champion. Considered to be the best in the era, his Ferrari was considered untouchable. Such character was reinforced from being such a popular world champion in 1975. Ferrari team principle Daniele Audetto summed him up as an intelligent being in that he was "fast and consistent" which came from being well prepared for every race and every presentable scenario.
In every meaning of the word, Niki Lauda was described as a complete driver. Audetto noted that for every Grand Prix, Lauda would stay late, well after every driver and managers went home in order to make sure the mechanics were doing their jobs properly. He is described as "a perfectionist."
Being the complete opposite of Hunt didn't stop on track. While Hunt was a playa and a good looking fellow, Lauda was quiet and wasn't gifted in the looks department. James Hunt often called him 'Rat' to his face because that's what he looked like, but this was well humoured and part of the relationship between the two.
Lauda's wife Marlene meant a lot to him. This showed a side to Formula 1 and Niki Lauda that I had never seen or known before. Despite the fact they have been divorced for some time, she had always been a major part of his life.
Ferrari in the 70s was not a democracy. One man ruled with an iron fist. It was the man who had his name on the side of the car.
You don't even need to know about Formula 1 to know how ruthless Enzo Ferrari really was. He just was not a nice man. Brilliant man, absolute marvel but not nice. He only wanted his team to win, and therefore only ever favoured winners. Lauda was one of the few who Enzo called 'his favourite.' Lauda was able to block out the weight of the ego from the boss and transferred that energy into a winning Formula. That in itself sounds like a miracle from the outside looking in.
Of course, you can't talk about Niki Lauda and not mention the tradgey of what occurred at the Nurburgring. Despite being the fastest man during that point of the season, Lauda attempted to get the German GP cancelled through safety concerns. It was not be and the race was given the go ahead.
Against the track conditions, Lauda swapped wets for slicks and just before Bergwerk, Lauda lost control and hit the barriers and burst into flames. In the ensuing 400 degree Celsius madness another car collided with him. Moments later many drivers stopped to get him out but damage had been done. Severe burns to his face and head plus toxic gas inhalation meant Niki Lauda was left hanging on for his life.
Fortunately God had spared Niki, his willpower exceeded the norm and he made a remarkable recovery, albeit with permanent scarring, a missing ear and lung injuries. If the man didn't have respect at the time, he sure as hell got it after. A sensational human being had been to hell and back, and he still just wanted to race.
Two races later, Lauda demanded to race at Monza. Ferrari didn't want to rush him back, but there was nothing stopping him. Lauda found his rehabilitation in the form of driving his Ferrari at the home of Ferrari, where he was granted a hero's welcome.
Despite the Hollywood story, Lauda failed to beat Hunt to the title after retiring from the final race of the season due to his own personal safety concerns.
Niki Lauda is the living embodiment of a fighter. He refused to stay down and because of it, he went on to becoming the best there was for his generation.
His 1976 campaign was unsuccessful, but the following season saw him crowned champion again. After a brief retirement spell, he joined McLaren to go on to become champion again in 1984. Two years later would see his final goodbyes.
His presence in modern day Formula 1 is bigger than ever. in 2012 it was announced he would become the non-executive Chairman of Mercedes AMG F1 team, and was involved in focal negotiations to bring Lewis Hamilton to the team.
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