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F1 Beyond The Grid

Lord Hesketh on James Hunt and F1’s original party team

F1 Beyond The Grid

karenellenbevan

News, Leisure, Sports News, Sports, Automotive

4.75.3K Ratings

🗓️ 25 November 2020

⏱️ 72 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When Hesketh Racing burst onto the F1 grid in the 1970s, they took everyone by surprise. They appeared to be playboys, having fun on and off track. But away from the yachts and the parties, was a small, well-organised group of passionate racers who were determined to win. With James Hunt at the wheel, they did. Lord Alexander Hesketh, who bankrolled and ran the team, tells Tom Clarkson how he ‘accidentally’ got into motor racing, rose to the top, and challenged the old guard of Ferrari, Lotus and McLaren. Lord Hesketh explains the unique quality behind his team’s success and reputation, what made James Hunt a great driver, and why F1 will never see a team like his ever again.

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:05.0

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0:13.0

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0:16.0

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0:20.0

It's been 45 years since a team of Bonvivers won their one and only World Championship Grand Prix.

0:31.0

Xanvort, 1975.

0:33.0

In a wet dry race, James Hunt came home one second ahead of Nikki Loudars Ferrari.

0:39.0

At which point, the pit lane went wild.

0:42.0

Champagne corks popped and high society hugged.

0:46.0

And for one man, known affectionately as Le Patron.

0:49.0

It was the realisation of a dream.

0:52.0

And that man is my guest this week.

0:54.0

Welcome to Beyond the Grid with me, Tom Clarkson.

0:59.0

Lord Alexander Heskith is a British peer whose family seat was the eastern nester in a state near Silverstone.

1:06.0

At the age of just 22, he formed Heskith Racing and transformed the buildings at eastern nester into a Formula 1 factory.

1:14.0

And by age 25, he'd not only won a Grand Prix and finished fourth in the Constructors Championship,

1:21.0

he'd withdrawn from the sport.

1:23.0

In all, Heskith contested 52 races over three years, taking that brilliant win at Xanvort as well as eight more podiums,

1:32.0

much to the annoyance of the Formula 1 establishment who struggled to take the team's laid back party antics seriously.

1:40.0

But you underestimated Heskith at your peril.

1:44.0

They were plucky racers and attracted bona fide talent, including inspirational designer Harvey Pothel-Sweight and of course James Hunt.

...

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