Recently I happened to watch the movie - Rush. It depicts the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda former Formula One champions who fiercely competed against each other. The movie tracks the evolution of their rivalry from Formula Three Circuit to Formula One Championship of 1976 where it reached its peak with both drivers willing to push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance and risk everything to become the world champion in a sport with no margin for error: if you make a mistake, you die.
The story also highlights their distinctly different personal styles and lives, on and off the track of both. Though both acknowledge their mutual admiration and inspiration they draw form each other they remain critical of each others approach and prefer to do it their own way.
James Hunt's Approach
James approach to driving is driven by the passion, fun and the thrill of it. "The more closer you are to death the more alive you are. It's the only way to drive as if each day is your last," he says. His rush comes from the speed. His rush comes from aggression. On a day that really matters James is willing to put his life on line. For him more powerful than the fear of death is the will to win. That's what makes him unbeatable on his day and ups his chances to win the championship. Consistency, however, is not his forte but he makes up for that with his aggression for speed and passion to drive and more importantly to be one up on Niki. For James bringing in the percentage of risk involved (Niki's approach) to the race takes the fun away from the game. It's like killing the sport. The fun is not just limited to the track but life too. James is least bothered about getting back to testing and preparing for the upcoming season. James happy with what he has achieved, having proved to the world, anyone who doubted him and himself what he needed to prove does not consider it necessary to return to the preparing for the next season but is happy enjoying his reign as a champion. "Some of life's moment need to be for pleasure", he says, "there's no point in having a million cups, medals and planes, if you don't have any fun. How's that winning?" he questions Niki.
Niki Lauda's Approach
Niki's approach to driving is that of a cool, calculating genius who relies on precision. For him driving full throttle increases risk and when you are not being paid for it there is no point to go full throttle. For him to be a champion, it takes more than being quick. To be a champion one has to really believe it says Niki. It's about looking at the big picture, its about remaining focused, its about contributing to the design and engineering of his race car at the cost of not being liked by even his own team. He is strong believer in discipline. The calculating and methodical genius in him willing to take risk up to 20% risk which is he believes is inherent to the race, anything beyond is not worth risking life for. It's this belief which sees him returning to the pit after a near fatal accident and giving up on a almost certain championship in race where the risks are far too high. For Niki what one has achieved is history, you need to move on to the next. Whether you are champion or not you need start practicing and preparing for the way ahead.
The movie highlights both the perspectives without taking sides. Both perspectives hold true and illustrates that believing in your own approach leads to winning. Both approaches have their pro's and con's.
But the real question one needs to answer is how far are you willing to commit to your approach and go the extra mile....driving as if it's your last day and enjoy every bit of it or take the focused, disciplined and methodical way. The choice is yours.
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