James Hunt: Remembering F1's playboy champion

Published 1033 GMT (1833 HKT) March 29, 2016

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Photographer David Phipps share his images of James Hunt: Perched on his McLaren M26, James Hunt celebrates victory at the 1977 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen racetrack, New York. Hunt would often celebrate in playboy style -- with a cigarette, a beer, and a model by his side. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Hunt salutes his home fans at Silverstone after winning the 1976 British Grand Prix. His victory was short-lived though, as other teams, including Ferrari -- home to his arch rival Niki Lauda -- complained he had been allowed to use a spare car after the race was restarted. Hunt was disqualified, handing victory to runner-up Lauda. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Hunt clinched his one and only F1 drivers' championship in the final race of the season -- the Japanese Grand Prix in Fuji. Here, McLaren team manager Teddy Mayer holds up three fingers to Hunt (right), who is climbing out of his car after the race, to signal he had finished third and clinched the 1976 title. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

With three laps remaining in Japan, Hunt was warned by his team crew that they thought he was back in sixth position. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Lauda watches as champagne is poured into Hunt's trophy at the 1977 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Hunt (right) and French teammate Patrick Tambay (far left) pose with the McLaren M26 car and team at the 1978 United States GP after securing sponsorship from brewer Lowenbrau for the final two races of the season. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

British photographer David Phipps captures the moments of panic and subsequent tragedy as Hunt attempts to pull Swedish driver Ronnie Peterson out from his burning Lotus car at the 1978 Italian Grand Prix. Peterson later died in hospital from a blood clot following an operation on his badly-broken legs. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Fuel is added to Hunt's McLaren M26 in the pits during practice at the 1978 Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Hunt celebrates his win at 1977 United States Grand Prix with a Penthouse Pet on the podium. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Then Brabham team owner Bernie Ecclestone (left) plays backgammon in the paddock with Hunt at the 1977 Spanish Grand Prix in Jarama. Ecclestone is now the longtime CEO of Formula One. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Hunt with his girlfriend Jane Birbeck at the 1977 United States Grand Prix West in Long Beach. Hunt had a long relationship with the model before marrying Sarah Lomax, with whom he had two sons, Freddie and Tom. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

South African driver Jody Scheckter (left) talks with Lauda and Hunt before the fateful 1976 German Grand Prix. Lauda was involved in a serious crash at the Nurburgring which left him with life-threatening injuries and extensive burns. Incredibly, the Austrian recovered and returned to action six weeks later at the Italian Grand Prix. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Hunt started his F1 career driving for the Hesketh Racing team in 1973. Here he competes for Hesketh at a non-F1 race at Silverstone in 1975, the year before he joined McLaren. © David Phipps/Sutton Images

Hunt peers through the visor of his famous helmet at the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix in Anderstorp. © David Phipps/Sutton Images