Early Promise and Challenges
Christopher Arthur Amon, born on 20 July 1943 in Bulls, New Zealand, emerged as a prominent figure in Formula One racing during the 1960s and 1970s. His journey in motorsports began at a young age, learning to drive at six and quickly progressing through local races in New Zealand. Amon’s talent was evident from his early days, driving cars like the Cooper-Climax T51, which had previously been used by Bruce McLaren. His move to Europe, encouraged by Reg Parnell, marked the beginning of his international racing career. Despite his evident skill and speed, Amon’s career was often marred by mechanical failures and bad luck, a theme that would unfortunately recur throughout his time in Formula One.
Formula One Career: Unfulfilled Potential
Amon’s Formula One career spanned from 1963 to 1976, during which he raced for several teams, including Cooper, Ferrari, March, Matra, and his own team, Amon, among others. He participated in 108 Grand Prix, starting 96 of them, but never clinched a championship win. His F1 career highlights include 11 podium finishes, 83 career points, 5 pole positions, and 3 fastest laps. His first entry was at the 1963 Monaco Grand Prix, and his last was at the 1976 Canadian Grand Prix.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Arthur Amon MBE |
| Date of Birth | 20 July 1943 |
| Date of Death | 3 August 2016 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Active Years (Formula One) | 1963–1976 |
| Teams | Cooper, Amon, Ferrari, March, Matra, Tecno, Tyrrell, BRM, Ensign, Wolf–Williams, Non-works Lola, Lotus, Brabham |
| Entries | 108 (96 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 11 |
| Career Points | 83 |
| Pole Positions | 5 |
| Fastest Laps | 3 |
| First Entry | 1963 Monaco Grand Prix |
| Last Entry | 1976 Canadian Grand Prix |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans Best Finish | 1st (1966) |
| Class Wins at 24 Hours of Le Mans | 1 (1966) |