James Hunt was a British Formula One racing driver and broadcaster who had a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death in 1993. James Hunt won the 1976 Formula One World Championship following one of the most dramatic title battles in the sport's history, defeating Ferrari driver Niki Lauda by a single point. Known for his aggressive driving, charisma, partying, and rebellious personality, Hunt became one of the defining personalities of Formula One during the 1970s.

Hunt competed in 92 Formula One Grands Prix, winning 10 races, taking 14 pole positions, and reaching the podium 23 times. He drove for Hesketh, McLaren, and Wolf, with the majority of his success coming after joining McLaren for the 1976 season. Hunt retired from racing in 1979 and subsequently reinvented himself as an acclaimed Formula One commentator for the BBC. Working alongside Murray Walker, he became known for blunt, frequently unsparing assessments of drivers and teams. Hunt's rivalry with Lauda reached a new generation through the 2013 Ron Howard film "Rush," in which Hunt was portrayed by Chris Hemsworth.

James Simon Wallis Hunt was born on August 29, 1947, in Surrey, England. His father was a stockbroker, and Hunt initially appeared headed toward a conventional professional career rather than motorsports.

He did not attend his first motor race until he was 18. The experience changed his plans, and Hunt became determined to become a professional racing driver.

He began competing in a Mini before moving into Formula Ford and Formula Three. His aggressive style and frequent crashes earned him the nickname "Hunt the Shunt," but his speed was obvious enough to attract increasingly serious backing.

Hunt's career changed when he joined Hesketh Racing, an unconventional team financed by the wealthy Lord Alexander Hesketh. The team cultivated an anti-establishment image and initially appeared more like a rolling party than a serious threat to Formula One's major manufacturers.

Hunt nevertheless proved that Hesketh could compete. After entering Formula One in 1973, he scored podium finishes and increasingly challenged the established teams.

His breakthrough victory came at the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix, where he defeated Lauda's Ferrari to record his first Formula One win.

Hesketh withdrew from Formula One at the end of the season after losing financial backing, leaving Hunt without a drive just as his career was gaining momentum.

Hunt unexpectedly received his greatest opportunity when Emerson Fittipaldi left McLaren. Hunt took his seat for the 1976 season and immediately became a championship contender.

The season developed into a battle between Hunt and defending champion Niki Lauda. Lauda built a substantial points lead before suffering a near-fatal crash at the Nürburgring in Germany. His Ferrari burst into flames, leaving him with severe burns and lung damage.

Remarkably, Lauda returned to competition only weeks later.

The championship came down to the Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji. Heavy rain made conditions extremely dangerous. Lauda withdrew early, deciding the risk was unacceptable. Hunt continued and finished third, scoring enough points to win the World Championship by a single point.

Hunt won six races during the 1976 season.

Hunt remained with McLaren through 1978. He won three additional races in 1977 but was unable to repeat his championship success.

He moved to Walter Wolf Racing for the 1979 season. Frustrated by an uncompetitive car and increasingly disillusioned with Formula One, Hunt abruptly retired midway through the season at age 31.

His Formula One career ended with 10 victories, 23 podium finishes, 14 pole positions, and one World Championship.

Hunt found an unexpected second career after retiring. In 1980, he joined the BBC's Formula One television coverage and formed a commentary partnership with Murray Walker.

The contrast between Walker's enthusiastic play-by-play style and Hunt's dry, critical analysis proved extremely popular. Hunt was willing to criticize drivers for poor judgment, lack of commitment, or dangerous driving and rarely softened his opinions.

He remained a BBC commentator for approximately 13 years, ultimately becoming almost as familiar to British Formula One audiences as he had been as a driver.

Hunt married model Suzy Miller in 1974. Their marriage ended after Miller began a relationship with actor Richard Burton.

Hunt later married Sarah Lomax, with whom he had two sons, Tom and Freddie. The couple divorced in 1989.

Despite his earlier reputation for heavy drinking, smoking, and partying, Hunt adopted a quieter lifestyle in his later years.

James Hunt died from a heart attack at his home in Wimbledon on June 15, 1993. He was 45 years old.

His 1976 championship battle with Niki Lauda became one of Formula One's most famous rivalries. Although the two men were fierce competitors, they maintained a genuine friendship away from the track.

Their rivalry was dramatized in the 2013 film "Rush," directed by Ron Howard and starring Chris Hemsworth as Hunt. The film introduced Hunt's story to a generation that had not seen him race and further cemented his status as one of Formula One's most colorful champions.