HESKETH 308B Ford-Cosworth DFV

   In 1972, Lord Alexander Hesketh embarked on his journey as a team manager in the racing world by participating in Formula 3 events. Hesketh's flamboyant style in the Grand Prix scene quickly made waves, arriving at races in a Rolls-Royce, drinking and offering champagne to everyone, and accommodating the entire team in five-star hotels. The team’s iconic motto, "Sex: the breakfast of champions," was famously printed on the racing suit of their daredevil driver, James Hunt. Given their success in lower formulae, Hesketh’s transition into Formula 1 was almost immediate. In 1973, the team entered the World Championship with a reworked March 731, modified by Harvey Postlethwaite. The car featured a completely white livery, devoid of sponsors, with only the red and blue colors of Lord Hesketh’s family crest adorning the vehicle. In 1974, Hesketh Racing became a constructor and developed its first car, the 308. Naturally, the car required time for fine-tuning, and the early races were a series of disasters. However, these struggles laid the foundation for what would become the team's first competitive car, the Hesketh 308B in 1975.

 HESKETH 308B, James Hunt 
Nürburgring, German GP 1975

   The chassis of the 308 was loosely based on the March 731, using the same engine and transmission: a Ford Cosworth DFV paired with a Hewland FGA 400 gearbox. At its debut, the 308 used traditional suspension with double wishbones and coil spring damper units, but Postlethwaite was already developing a lighter, more progressive, and simpler system to improve the car’s stability. The idea of using rubber springs emerged after a friend, involved in designing shock absorbers for buildings in seismic zones, suggested the concept. Initial tests failed because standard rubber was used, but when the Malaysian Rubber Production Association supplied a specially treated rubber, manufactured into springs by Aeon Products, the system worked.

HESKETH 308B, Brett Lunger
Osterreichring, Austrian GP 1975

   Despite Lord Hesketh’s plans to fund and develop his own V12 engine, the team continued using the Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 for the 1975 season. The car underwent slight aesthetic revisions while retaining its snowplow-style front wing, to which an additional high-downforce wing was added for specific circuits. The sidepods remained curved, but the oil radiators were repositioned to the rear. The 308B became far more competitive, though still somewhat fragile, with Hunt frequently battling at the front of the grid. At the Dutch Grand Prix, Hunt secured the team's first—and only—Formula 1 victory. In the final two races of the season, the 308C made its debut, already updated for 1976 regulations.

HESKETH 308C, James Hunt
Monza, Italian GP 1975

   During the 1975 season, Hunt achieved multiple strong finishes, allowing Hesketh Racing to secure fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, financial difficulties began to weigh heavily on Lord Hesketh, leading the team to lease the 308B to private entrants. The Polar Caravan Team, with Swedish driver Torsten Palm, entered two races, while the Custom Made Stiller Racing Team fielded Alan Jones for four races. Additionally, Warsteiner Brewery entered Harald Ertl in three races.

HESKETH 308B, Alan Jones
Montjuich Park, Spanish GP 1975

   For the final three races of the season, a second official car was entered, driven by American Brett Lunger, though he failed to score points. Ultimately, the only points for the 308B came from Hunt’s 33-point haul, which secured fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship for the team. By the end of the season, Hesketh Racing was forced to withdraw, as Lord Hesketh could no longer afford to fund his unsponsored team. James Hunt moved to McLaren for the 1976 season.