Rush (2013) quotes

James Hunt

Come on, Come on!

James!

Hunt

Come on!

Listen!

Hunt

What?!

Just go easy out there.

Hunt

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.

Hunt

So that’s it? It’s over?! ... [thrusts helmet visor shut] **** it! [accelerates wildly out of the pit lane]

Niki Lauda

Your fan belt is loose.

My what?

Lauda

And when you brake your foot goes all the way down, which means there's air in the system.

Anything else?

Lauda

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.

How can you tell?

Lauda

My ass.

Sorry?

Lauda

God gave me an okay mind, but a really good ass, which can feel everything in a car.

James Hunt

I had a friendly disagreement with another driver about his wife.

Why, what did you do?

Hunt

Only what she asked me to do.

Which was?

Hunt

I could show you if you'd like.

James Hunt

I feel responsible for what happened.

Niki Lauda

You were.

Hunt

I swayed the room and the race should never have went ahead.

Lauda

You did, 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.

James Hunt

So when did all this start?

That weekend I went skiing. Why have you come here, James?

Hunt

I've got to get you back.

Oh, come on, James. You don't want me back. You never wanted to be married in the first place.

Hunt

Yes, I did.

You did it because you hoped it might change you, settle you down, help with the racing.

Hunt

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...

Hunt

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.

Hunt

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 Hunt

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. [notices Lord Hesketh feeling glum] What the hell's going on? Where is everybody? What's the matter?
Lord Hesketh: Do you know what the date it is today?

Hunt

Yes.

It's November the 14th.

Hunt

Why?

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

Hunt

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

Actually, it's the deadline for securing sponsorship for the forthcoming Formula 1 season.

Hunt

Yes?

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

Hunt

Well, so? We aren't looking for sponsorship. Like you said, condoms and cigarettes, vulgar, right?

Right. Except we are, or were. I've made something of a miscalculation. The economics, Formula 1, realities thereof. It turns out not like the lower divisions at all.

Hunt

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.

What did your wife say when she saw your face?

Niki Lauda

She said, "Sweetie, you don't need a face to drive, you just need a right foot." [reporters laugh]

I'm being serious. Do you think your marriage can survive... with the way you look now?

Lauda

And I am being serious too... [points index finger at him] **** you! Press conference over. [storms out of room]

Niki Lauda

There's no need to drive fast. Just increases the percentage of risk. We're not in a hurry, I'm not being paid. Right now it's zero incentive or reward. Why would I drive fast?

Because I'm asking you to.

Lauda

And do you always get what you want?

Yeah. Usually. [suddenly pushed back against her seat as Niki steps on the gas]

Why don't they make it safer?

James Hunt

The risk of death turns people on.

Niki Lauda

I accept that every time I get into my car, there's 20% chance I could die and I could live with it, but not one percent more! And today with the rain, the risk is more.

Niki Lauda

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 that 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. [frame in on James Hunt] I don't know why it became such a big thing. We were just drivers busting each other's balls. To me this is perfectly normal, but other people saw it differently. That whatever it was between us went deeper. The other thing I'm remembered for is what happened on 1st August 1976, when I was chasing him like an asshole…

Niki Lauda

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 a 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 died age 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.