VIDEO: Official trailer for Ron Howard's new film, RUSH.

We’ve been looking forward to this film ever since director Ron Howard posted an image diary on Twitter of his journeys to the film’s historic locations in England, Germany and Austria.

Just in case you’ve never heard of ‘Rush’, it charts the story of the rivalry between James Hunt and Nikki Lauda – focusing specifically on the 1976 season and Lauda’s near fatal crash at the Nürburgring.

Despite suffering extensive scarring from the burns to his head, Lauda returned to racing just six weeks after the crash finishing fourth in the Italian GP. Lauda fought Hunt for the remainder of the season, despite injuries that would have ended the career of lesser drivers, losing out to the Englishman by just a single point.

I remember watching that year, and like many people I’ve never witnessed a greater act of bravery than seeing Lauda fight with every inch of his battered and burned body. Some saw it as bravery, others stupidity but it makes a great gladiatorial setting for a film.

Actor Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers) plays Hunt, while Daniel Brühl (Inglourious Basterds) the stubborn perfectionist Lauda. The official trailer, released today by Universal Pictures, gives a taste of the movie and while the story cannot help but thrill we remain disappointed by the casting of Hemsworth in the role of Hunt.

Hollywood he may be, but an Australian as our ‘British Bulldog’ seems a little tenuous.

We’ll watch it, as will you, but it seems a shame that one of England’s best F1 drivers might be remembered as some blue-eyed Adonis. Hunt was a racer, pure and simple, as stubborn and selfish as Lauda – let’s hope Howard and screen writer Peter Morgan have been able to capture their true spirit.

Rush arrives in cinemas on September 20, 2013 and you can visit the official website HERE.