Few sporting rivalries have reached the same level of intensity as the battle for the 1976 Formula One World Championship between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.

Ron Howards’ impressive biopic is notable not just for its exhilarating race sequences and compelling performances from Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Lauda but also for Peter Morgans’ exceptional screenplay. Lauda had been approached many times by film makers wanting to tell the story but had consistently declined until meeting Morgan.

Howard had worked with Morgan previously, bringing his stage play ‘Frost/Nixon’ to the screen in 2008 and like that film, ‘Rush’ is very much concerned with a battle of wills and a clash of egos. It is also about winning and the price you are prepared to pay to achieve victory.

The two drivers first encounter each other during a Formula Three race at the Crystal Palace circuit in 1970. Hunt is the flamboyant English playboy, swilling champagne and exuding confidence whereas Lauda is the pragmatic Austrian technician, always seeking perfection.

Things start badly when a risky move by Hunt causes both cars to spin out of control and after winning the race he is confronted by a furious Lauda. Progressing to Formula One the two foes slug it out for the 1976 World Championship, Hunt with McLaren, Lauda with Ferrari.

Off track Lauda has fallen in love with and married German socialite Marlene Knaus (Alexandra Maria Lara) but, significantly, feels the happiness he has found is his enemy because he now has something to lose. Hunt meanwhile agrees to divorce model, Suzy Miller (Olivia Wilde), who has left him for Richard Burton, leaving him to focus more fully on his driving.

Tragedy strikes at the notorious Nürburgring circuit in Germany when Lauda is involved in a horrific accident, leaving him with third degree burns to his head and face and serious lung damage. Niki Lauda can now only watch on a TV screen in his hospital room as Hunt gains advantage in the race for the title. Incredibly, having received the last rites, Lauda returns to racing just six weeks after his accident. The season climaxes at a rain soaked Japanese Grand Prix where Lauda retires from the race, giving Hunt the opportunity to take the title. Cinematographer, Anthony Dod Mantle, filming in digital, used three dozen cameras for the race scenes, some mounted in cars, some inside drivers helmets and combined with Hans Zimmers powerful music score there is a thrilling authenticity to the action.

James Hunt died from a heart attack in 1993, aged just 45. Lauda said at the time of the films release “He died too early, too young. I wish he’d been here to see the movie. It would have been the best”.

Niki Lauda passed away peacefully earlier this year surrounded by his family. ‘Rush’ is a great testament to both men. Rivalry and winning is fleeting but the friendship and respect that it can bring is enduring.