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Rush: the James Hunt and Niki Lauda Rivalry

https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2013/sep/18/rush-ron-howard-reel-history

 

This article describes the complex relationship between legendary Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda, portrayed in the movie Rush. The two drivers, Hunt hailing from England and Lauda of Germany, are displayed on screen as being enemies. Their rivalry on the race track caused an animosity between them, as they constantly trash talk and bicker off the track. In reality, and as the movie shows later on, the pair had a very friendly relationship in which their respect for one another. Hunt and Lauda met early in their careers in Formula 3, and ever since then they “teamed up as mates, not just casual acquaintances,” in the words of Hunt.

However, the will to win and racing rivalry caused bitter disagreements between them, such as Lauda’s wish to cancel the 1976 Nurburgring Grand Prix because of dangerous conditions that Hunt and others overturned. Infamously, Lauda crashed and nearly escaped death as a result of the race.

 

This movie relates to what we’ve learned in class because of the complex relationship between Hunt and Lauda, but also because of the examples of game theory displayed within the races. Overall, Hunt and Lauda had strong, positive ties between them. The movie also showcases the network of positive and negative relationships these drivers had with other racers, in which Hunt seemed to connect with more racers, leading to more support in the verdict to proceed with the 1976 Nurburgring Grand Prix against Lauda, and others’, word. Within that race, both Lauda and Hunt are faced with a difficult decision that displays game theory. Before the race begins, they can choose to equip their cars with dry weather tires, which are much faster but more dangerous, or wet weather tires, which are way safer in the rainy conditions at Nurburgring but slow down the cars. In this case, the payoffs between Lauda and Hunt will be faster race time versus increased chance of crash/death. Hunt decides to keep his wet tires, only after he is given information that Lauda had kept his wet tires on, proving as the Nash Equilibrium for both drivers. When they start racing, other drivers in dry tires begin passing them, and they both realize they need to switch tires, as it seems the more dominant strategy, although riskier one. This decision ultimately proved effective for Hunt, who won the race, and disastrous for Lauda, who nearly lost his life by losing control of the car.

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