James Hunt: The iconic F1 World Champion whose style was as daring as his driving

Few Formula 1 drivers have built a reputation off the track as famed as their exploits on it. But if you were to list the most talked-about figures in the sport's history, James Hunt would sit comfortably near the top.

The Londoner was one of the most impressive talents of his generation, winning the 1976 World Championship and forming one half of a fiery rivalry that eventually inspired the Hollywood film Rush. On track, Hunt was a menace in the best sense, slicing through the field and pulling off heart-in-mouth manoeuvres. As rival Niki Lauda once put it: "Hunt was never a nasty driver. He was very good, correct... but f-ing quick. That was the problem."

Off the track, Hunt had a well-earned reputation as a rebellious Casanova, offset by his sharp wit and a certain gentlemanly charm. Never one to play by the rules, his fashion pushed back against the expectations placed on F1 drivers at that time. His style reflected his lifestyle perfectly – fast, fun and fabulous.

Anti-establishment

After his stint at Hesketh, where he raced and won in a famously shed-built car, Hunt made the move to McLaren – a step up in both machinery and expectations. He promptly refused to sign a clause in his contract requiring a shirt and tie at formal functions, opting instead for his go-to combination of t-shirts and bare feet.

When Hunt did opt to dress up, he did so with full commitment to the spirit of the 70s. For one event, he arrived in a suave blue velvet suit, finished with gold medallion and a shirt embellished with tiny coconuts and palm trees. Anti-establishment, yes, but never anti-style.

When he was awarded the Ferodo Trophy in 1976, Hunt leaned back into his signature look, pairing velvet tailoring with a wide-collared white shirt. His looks were never stiff, nothing stuffy, and there was never a tie in sight. He was a rock star... and he knew it.

70s style

The 1970s gave us a run of enduring style staples, from maxi dresses to bohemian chic and flared jeans, all of which still feel relevant today. Hunt's wardrobe, however, sat firmly in a unique category of its own.

Off the track, his uniform of choice consisted of tattered jeans, t-shirts and the occasional pair of frayed denim shorts. In the paddock, while everyone else turned up in shirts and slacks, Hunt took a more casual stance with white vests and tracksuit bottoms. But his two essential accessories? A pair of sunglasses... and a cigarette.

What made Hunt such an enduring icon was that none of his style was particularly calculated. He didn't give his fashion choices much thought. His priorities lay in racing and having fun, and it was that unbothered attitude that gave his style its staying power.

Racing suit and helmet

In the 1970s, sponsorship was nowhere near as saturated as it is today, which left far more room on racing suits for personal flourishes. During his time at Hesketh, Hunt adorned his suit with several badges that alluded rather openly to his enjoyment of female company.

His racing shoes were another talking point. Thanks to his slightly oversized feet, Hunt would regularly cut the toes off his shoes so his feet could breathe freely out of the end. It was neither fashionable nor fire safe, but comfort on race day took priority.

But it was actually Hunt's unique helmet design that has stood the test of time to become one of the most iconic in the history of motorsport. Built around a solid black background, it featured three thin stripes in red, blue and yellow, taken from the colours of his old school, Wellington College. His name appeared on both sides in large, white block letters. To this day, it remains incomparable.

Later years

Hunt retired from F1 midway through the 1979 season at the age of 31, citing a loss of enjoyment and, as he put it, a need for "self-preservation". After securing the 1976 championship, his motivation gradually waned amid uncompetitive machinery and the ever-present risks of the sport.

He swiftly made the move into broadcasting, joining Murray Walker in the commentary box at the BBC, where he was warmly praised for his wit, candour and refreshingly unfiltered opinions. When once asked what it takes to be an F1 driver, his answer was characteristically to the point: "big balls."

As his racing career wound down, so too did his party lifestyle and sartorial extravagance. In later life, Hunt was frequently spotted in polos, white shirts and sweaters. He even made the occasional concession of wearing proper shoes rather than going barefoot.

The cut-off denim shorts, it seemed, were a thing of the past. His iconic blonde hair, however, remained until the very end.