PUMA AND MCLAREN REMEMBER JAMES HUNT

words by FELICITY CARTER

PUMA and McLaren Racing’s new James Hunt collection celebrates 50 years since his 1976 Formula 1 World Championship win. Racing jackets, hoodies, T-shirts and caps take their cues from the British driver and the style of his era.

James Hunt won the 1976 Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren and brought plenty of personality to the paddock. Fast, outspoken and famously fond of a good time, the British driver became one of the sport’s most recognisable figures -- his appeal had as much to do with his character as what he could do in a racing car.

Fifty years after that championship win, PUMA and McLaren Racing have dedicated a clothing collection to Hunt, drawing on '70s racing style and his relaxed approach to getting dressed. The PUMA x McLaren Racing James Hunt Collection includes racing jackets, soft hoodies, easy tees and classic caps; the jackets make the clearest connection to the '70s paddock, with more casual pieces sitting in the line.

Hunt gave the collection’s designers plenty to work with; he looked comfortable in the spotlight and rarely seemed concerned with looking polished. That slightly dishevelled confidence is part of what makes his style interesting half a century later, and it informs the collection as much as his championship credentials.

The PUMA x McLaren Racing James Hunt Collection is available now at selected PUMA stores, puma.com and store.mclaren.com.