The third DVD disc in our series on the greatest drivers of F1
features two British F1 legends; Nigel Mansell and James Hunt.
Nigel Mansell
No driver fought harder to get into Formula One racing and few fought harder when they got there. Hugely determined,
immensely aggressive and spectacularly daring, Nigel Mansell was one of the most exciting drivers ever. With his win or
bust approach – 31 wins and 32 crashes – he became the most successful British driver and ranks third in the world in
fastest laps, fourth in wins and fifth in poles. With the Union Jack on his helmet and a chip on his shoulder, he was both
quick and controversial. His awkward personality made him some enemies, his heroic performances made him millions of
fans. Nigel Mansell won both the Formula One World Championship (1992) and the CART Indy Car World Series (1993).
Mansell was the reigning F1 champion when he moved over to CART, being the first person to win the CART title in his
debut season, making him the only person to hold both titles simultaneously. Nigel Mansell was rated in the top 10
Formula One drivers of all time by longtime Formula 1 commentator Murray Walker.
Nigel Mansell Documentary – (69 min)
This documentary is from the 1990’s, and the source is an old VHS tape, but the quality is excellent!
Covers Nigel Mansell’s entire career, including many aspects of his private life.
James Hunt
In the 1970s Formula One was flamboyant and dangerous – with drivers to match. James Hunt became a hero in Britain
when he took on the might of Ferrari to capture the drivers’ championship in 1976. But he is just as well remembered for
his commentating career and his playboy lifestyle. Hunt won the 1976 World Championship against the odds in a chaotic,
unpredictable season. From then on Hunt’s racing career began to slide. He won his last race in 1977 while newspaper
stories of his private life became increasingly lurid. He would turn up at black tie events in shorts and a filthy T-shirt. His
drinking and womanizing were legendary. In 1979 he quit racing, but the following year joined Murray Walker to
commentate Grand Prix races for the BBC. Their relationship began poorly: he arrived late to his first commentating job at
Monaco, drunk and swigging from a bottle of Rose. Barefoot, with a cast on his left leg from a skiing injury (also incurred
while drunk), he plunked his leg on Murray Walker’s lap and began his commentary, pausing only to open a second bottle
of wine. Behind the scenes this lifestyle began to take its toll. By the 1990s much of his earnings had been whittled away.
He settled down in a house in Wimbledon with his beloved children and collection of budgerigars. Although the stories of
his wild days are well-known, many of those close to him remark on the doting father he became to his two sons. His
career as a commentator blossomed and the Murray & James partnership became synonymous with Formula One for a
generation of fans. Hunt’s dry wit and forthright opinions were the perfect foil to Walker’s hyperactive enthusiasm.
Sadly he died in 1993 from a heart attack at age 45, not brought on by his excesses, but rather a congenital defect.
James Hunt – Remembering James – (18 min)
This documentary was produced just after James Hunt passed away in 1993, and has several
comments from notable drivers such as Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna, and Nigel Mansell.
Excellent documentary covering the racing career and personal antics of James Hunt.
The Real James Hunt – (48 min)
Another excellent documentary focusing on both the professional and private life of James Hunt.