Japanese Grand Prix

The day courage had two meanings

Lauda getting back in a car just weeks after his Nürburgring inferno was already superhuman. Then choosing to park it after two laps because the conditions were too dangerous – that takes a different kind of bravery. Hunt charging through the field to finish third, not knowing if it was enough for the title until the results were confirmed. Andretti won the race itself, but this was always about Hunt and Lauda. The most dramatic championship finale the sport has ever produced.

When the championship was still raw

No corporate hospitality, no Netflix cameras. Just two drivers who genuinely disliked each other fighting for the biggest prize in motorsport in absolutely horrific conditions at Fuji. Lauda's decision to retire from the race was incredibly brave – the man had nearly died in a fire twelve weeks earlier. Hunt finished third, which was just barely enough. They didn't even know for sure until the results were double-checked. This is what F1 used to be about.

Just watch it

Hunt in the rain, Lauda walking away after two laps, Andretti winning and nobody caring. Motorsport has never been more human than this.

Niki deserved better

As a Ferrari fan this one still hurts. Lauda had built up a massive championship lead before his near-fatal accident at the Nürburgring, came back far too early with burns still healing, and then made the incredibly difficult call to withdraw at Fuji because the rain made it too dangerous. Hunt took third and the title by a single point. I respect Lauda's decision completely, but Ferrari losing that championship after everything Niki went through was devastating.

The ultimate rain race

Fuji 1976 is the gold standard. Visibility was nearly zero, the track was a river, and the championship hung in the balance. Lauda pulled out after two laps because he genuinely feared for his life – and who could blame him after what happened at the Nürburgring. Hunt somehow kept it together through the monsoon, dropped to fifth at one point, then recovered to third. Andretti drove a brilliant race to win. The conditions were so bad that several other drivers also retired. Absolutely gripping from start to finish.