Rush Quotes

Niki Lauda Of course he didn't listen to me. For James, one world title was enough. He had proved what he needed to prove. To himself and anyone who doubted him. And two years later, he retired. When I saw him next in London, seven years later, me as a champion again, him as broadcaster, he was barefoot on a bicycle with a flat tire, still living each day like his last. When I heard he died age 45 of a heart attack, I wasn't surprised. I was just sad. People always think of us as rivals but he was among the very few I liked and even fewer that I respected. He remains the only person I envied.

Suzy Miller Why don't they make it safer?

James Hunt The risk of death turns people on.

James Hunt I had a friendly disagreement with another driver about his wife.

Nurse Gemma Why, what did you do?

Hunt Only what she asked me to do.

Gemma Which was?

Hunt I could show you if you'd like.

James Hunt So when did all this start?

Suzy Miller That weekend I went skiing. Why have you come here, James?

Hunt I've got to get you back.

Miller Oh, come on, James. You don't want me back. You never wanted to be married in the first place.

Hunt Yes, I did.

Miller You did it because you hoped it might change you, settle you down, help with the racing.

Hunt No, I didn't.

Miller And who knows, if it had been just the drinking, or the dope, or the infidelity or the moods, it might even have worked. But when it's all of them...

Hunt Yes, I know, I'm terrible.

Miller No, you're not terrible. You're just who you are at this point in your life. God help anyone who wants more.

Hunt And Richard Burton, will he be able to give you more? You know, he has quite the bad-boy reputation himself.

Miller What's important is how it feels to me, and it feels like he adores me.

Reporter What did your wife say when she saw your face?

Niki Lauda She said, "Sweetie, you don't need a face to drive, you just need a right foot.

Reporter I'm being serious. Do you think your marriage can survive... with the way you look now?

Lauda And I am being serious too... Fuck you! Press conference over.

James Hunt I feel responsible for what happened.

Niki Lauda You were.

Hunt I swayed the room and the race should never have went ahead.

Lauda You did, but trust me. Watching you win those races while I was fighting for my life. You were equally responsible for getting me back in the car.

James Hunt Whatever it takes to beat that prick next year, just say it, your word is my command. There are no lengths to which I will not go and I mean it. What the hell's going on? Where is everybody? What's the matter?

Lord Hesketh Do you know what the date it is today?

Hunt Yes.

Hesketh It's November the 14th.

Hunt Why?

Hesketh Do you have any idea of the significance of that date?

Hunt I don't know. Time to start killing pheasants?

Hesketh Actually, it's the deadline for securing sponsorship for the forthcoming Formula 1 season.

Hunt Yes?

Hesketh Which elapsed at midnight last night and we didn't attract any.

Hunt Well, so? We aren't looking for sponsorship. Like you said, condoms and cigarettes, vulgar, right?

Hesketh Right. Except we are, or were. I've made something of a miscalculation. The economics, Formula 1, realities thereof. It turns out not like the lower divisions at all.

Hunt What are you saying?

Hesketh I'm saying it's over, Superstar. The banks have stepped in, started laying everyone off. Probably have to sell this place.

James Hunt Come on, Come on!

Alistair Caldwell James!

Hunt Come on!

Caldwell Listen!

Hunt What?!

Caldwell Just go easy out there.

Hunt What are you saying?

Caldwell I’m saying look after yourself. We want you back in one piece. You’re too far back. There’s too many drivers in front of you. There’s always next year.

Hunt So that’s it? It’s over?! ... Fuck it!

Taglines Everyone's driven by something.

Niki Lauda Twenty-five drivers start every season in Formula One, and each year two of us die. What kind of person does a job like this? Not normal men, for sure. Rebels, lunatics, dreamers. People who are that desperate to make a mark, and are prepared to die trying. My name is Niki Lauda, and racing people know me for two things. The first is my rivalry with him. I don't know why it became such a big thing. We were just drivers busting each other's balls. To me this is perfectly normal, but other people saw it differently. That whatever it was between us went deeper. The other thing I'm remembered for is what happened on 1st August 1976, when I was chasing him like an asshole…

Niki Lauda There's no need to drive fast. Just increases the percentage of risk. We're not in a hurry, I'm not being paid. Right now it's zero incentive or reward. Why would I drive fast?

Marlene Knaus Because I'm asking you to.

Lauda And do you always get what you want?

Knaus Yeah. Usually.

Niki Lauda I accept that every time I get into my car, there's 20% chance I could die and I could live with it, but not one percent more! And today with the rain, the risk is more.

Taglines Based on a true story.

Niki Lauda Your fan belt is loose.

Marlene Knaus My what?

Lauda And when you brake your foot goes all the way down, which means there's air in the system.

Knaus Anything else?

Lauda No... Apart from the rear brakes are worn out, the front right tire's a bit soft, which explains why you're weaving so much.

Knaus How can you tell?

Lauda My ass.

Knaus Sorry?

Lauda God gave me an okay mind, but a really good ass, which can feel everything in a car.