The buzz in Hollywood is that American film company Infinity Media—makers of this year’s Oscar award-winning Capote—has bought the rights to former motorcycle champion and Formula One pilot Mike Hailwood’s life story. A film adaptation of his life is slated to be produced by Michael Ohoven and written by Paul Pender, though no production schedule or release date has been announced.
Considered to be one of the all-time great motorcycle racers, Hailwood notched up nine World Championships on two wheels before turning his attention to racecars. Though he won the 1972 Formula Two championship for the Surtees team, he never enjoyed the same level of success in Formula One. Hailwood’s racing career came to an abrupt end at the 1974 German Grand Prix when he suffered severe leg injuries when he crashed his McLaren. Tragically, Hailwood was killed in a road accident, close to his home in 1981.
