Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Brett Lunger, born on November 14, 1945, in Wilmington, Delaware, was not initially raised as a car enthusiast. His early interests lay in baseball, hockey, and football. Lunger’s racing journey began unexpectedly when a friend introduced him to auto racing in 1965. By 1966, he had become known as the “rich kid” of the Can-Am series. Lunger’s entry into professional racing was unique; he dropped out of Princeton University, where he was a political science major, to enlist for service in Vietnam. After serving as a US Marine lieutenant, his racing career gained momentum, funded largely by his family’s wealth — his mother, Jane du Pont Lunger, was an heiress to the Du Pont family fortune.
Major Successes and Highlights
Lunger’s racing career was marked by participation in various prestigious series. He made his mark in sports cars and Formula 5000, achieving notable successes. In the 1971 L&M Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park, despite starting with a fever and being diagnosed with mononucleosis, Lunger showed remarkable resilience, finishing third in the championship. His first major win came at Brainerd International Raceway in the Minnesota Grand Prix. Lunger also competed in European Formula Two, with his best finish being 4th place at Mantorp Park in Sweden. His Formula One career spanned from 1975 to 1978, participating in 43 Grands Prix with teams like Hesketh, Surtees, and McLaren, though he did not score any championship points. Lunger is also remembered for his heroic act of helping to rescue Niki Lauda from his burning Ferrari in 1976 at the Nürburgring.
Life and Legacy After Racing
After retiring from active racing, Lunger’s life took several turns. He failed to find a satisfactory ride in 1979 and shifted his focus to journalism, working with CBS to cover Formula One races. He also completed his degree at Princeton. Lunger became an author, focusing on a workbook series about responsibility, and founded Responsibility Today. Through this initiative, he contributes to the community by sharing lessons from his successes and failures. Lunger remains active in his spare time, participating in cycling competitions and running a research and development business. He is also a pilot and, along with his wife, is involved in the Angel Flight Network.
Career Stats
| Year | Team | Chassis | Engine | WDC Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Hesketh Racing | Hesketh 308 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | NC | 0 |
| 1976 | Chesterfield Team Surtees | Surtees TS19 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | NC | 0 |
| 1977 | Chesterfield Racing | March 761 / McLaren M23B | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | NC | 0 |
| 1978 | Liggett Group / B & S Fabrications | McLaren M23B / McLaren M26 / Ensign N177 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | NC | 0 |