Niki Lauda:
When do you start testing? Next week?
James Hunt:
No. What, are you nuts? I didn't just win the biggest thing in my life so I could get right back to work.
Niki Lauda:
Why? You have to. To prove to all the people who will always say you just won it because...
James Hunt:
Because of what? Because of your accident? Niki, is that other people, or is that you? I won, okay? On the all-important day, when it came down to it, we raced on equal terms, equally good cars. And I put my life on the line, and I saw it through.
Niki Lauda:
And you call that winning?
James Hunt:
Yes.
Niki Lauda:
The risks were totally unacceptable. You were prepared to die. To me, that's losing.
James Hunt:
Yes, I was. I admit it. I was prepared to die to beat you that day. And that's the effect you have on me. You'd pushed me that far. And it felt great. I mean, hell, isn't that we're in this for? To stare death in the face, and to cheat it? Come on, there's nobility in that. It's... it's like being knights.
Niki Lauda:
You English, you're such assholes. You know my position. Twenty percent risk.
James Hunt:
No, no, no, Niki, don't bring the percentages into this. Don't be a pro. The minute you do that, you kill what's good about this. You kill the sport.
[Long pause, before James' party calls him from his plane]
James Hunt:
I've got to go.
[points at Lauda's plane as he walks away]
James Hunt:
Careful with this thing.
Niki Lauda:
James.
[Hunt stops]
Niki Lauda:
You know, in hospital, the toughest part of my treatment was the vacuum. Pumping the shit out of my lungs. It was hell. And while doing it, I was watching television. You winning all my points.
James Hunt:
Your points?
Niki Lauda:
'That bastard Hunt,' I would say. 'I hate that guy.' And then one day, the doctor came and said, 'Mr. Lauda, may I offer a piece of advice? Stop thinking of it as a curse to have been given an enemy in life. It can be a blessing, too. A wise man gets more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.' And you know what? He was right. Look at us. We were both a pair of kids when we met. Hot-headed jerks in Formula 3. Disowned by our families. Headed nowhere. And now, we're both champions of the world. It was not bad, huh?
James Hunt:
No, it's not bad.
Niki Lauda:
So don't let me down now. I need you busting my balls. Get back to work.
James Hunt:
I will, Niki, I will. But I intend to enjoy myself first. Some of life needs to be for pleasure. What's the point of having a million cups and medals and planes if you don't have any fun? How is that winning?
[Hunt's party calls him again]
James Hunt:
I'll see you on race day, champ.
Niki Lauda:
You will, champ.
James Hunt:
You look good, Niki. The only guy to have his face burnt off and it be an improvement.
[Lauda gives Hunt the finger as Hunt smiles back and walks toward his party]
