1976 F1 Season -

In the press box, the British journalists howled with derision. “Coward!” one shouted. Lauda would remember that for the rest of his life. But he would also remember that he was alive.

On lap three, Lauda pulled into the pits. He unbuckled his helmet, climbed out of the car, and walked away. He had retired. He told his team, “My life is worth more than a title.” 1976 f1 season

It was an act of madness, or genius, or both. He could not turn his head fully. His tear ducts were damaged, so his eyes streamed constantly. The pain was unimaginable. Yet, he qualified fifth. When the race started, he drove with the same cold precision as before. He finished fourth. In the press box, the British journalists howled

James Hunt was his antithesis. The McLaren driver was a lion-maned rock star in a fireproof suit. He chain-smoked before races, admitted to drinking heavily, and famously quipped that sex was "a good relaxer before a race." Where Lauda calculated, Hunt improvised. Where Lauda conserved, Hunt attacked. To Hunt, racing was a glorious, bloody circus, and he was the ringmaster. He was adored by the British press, who saw in him a throwback to the daredevil heroes of a bygone era. But he would also remember that he was alive