Formula One drivers from New Zealand

Denny Hulme in 1965

There have been eight Formula One drivers from New Zealand, half of them having started two or fewer races. The late 1950s to mid-1970s is viewed as the "golden age" for New Zealand in the sport and saw Denny Hulme crowned as World Drivers' Championship in 1967. New Zealand drivers have been absent from Formula One events since Mike Thackwell last raced in 1984.

Current drivers

There has not been a driver from New Zealand in Formula One since Mike Thackwell left the sport in 1984. Brendon Hartley was the official Red Bull reserve driver for the 2009 and 2010 seasons and has a testing role with Mercedes in 2012 but has not yet progressed into a race weekend.[1] Before him, in 2004, Scott Dixon tested for Williams but did go on to secure a racing seat.[2]

Former drivers

Bruce McLaren in 1966

Eight drivers from New Zealand have raced in Formula One. The late 1950s to mid-1970s is seen as the "golden age" for the country's participation in the sport and saw their only real racing successes. It was during that era that seven of the drivers competed. In 1970 British driver Stirling Moss said "In terms of its population, New Zealand's contribution to the top echelons of motorsport far outweighs that of any other country." However, the lack of any competing driver since 1984 means that it has been a long time since the country made such contributions.[3]

Bruce McLaren drove for Cooper from 1958 until the end of 1965, winning three races for the team. He had his most successful season in 1960 when he finished second in the drivers' championship to team-mate Jack Brabham, having stood on the podium six times out of the eight races. In 1964 he formed his own team, McLaren, in partnership with Teddy Mayer. The outfit has since become one of the most successful Formula One teams in the sport's history, though its 1966 debut did not immediately make that seem likely. Bruce kept racing with his own team, winning the 1968 Belgian Grand Prix and finishing an overall fifth in the championship. Though further wins eluded him he was able to produce a consistent season in 1969 and ended the year third in the title race. McLaren was killed while testing one of his cars at Goodwood.[4]

Denny Hulme established himself as a racing driver in Europe with the help of Bruce McLaren. Hulme became a mechanic for Brabham in order to help fund his career and was rewarded with a drive in 1965. He impressed enough to be retained for the following season and finished on the podium at all four of the races he completed. He doubled that tally in 1967, finishing on the podium eight times including two race wins. That year he won the championship title ahead of Jack Brabham. For the 1968 season Hulme moved to McLaren where he would stay for the remainder of his career. He finished third overall and would do so again in 1972. Hulme won six races for McLaren before retiring from Formula One at the end of 1974. Hulme holds the distinction of being the world champion with the fewest pole positions, only qualifying in first position once.[5]

Chris Amon drove for 13 different teams during a career that spanned 14 seasons. He made his debut for Lola at the 1963 Monaco Grand Prix but his career only really took off in 1967 when he drove for Ferrari. In that year he stood on the third step of the podium four times and he eventually finished the year in fifth place in the championship. He went one better the following year and went on to win a race with March in 1970, though the BRDC International Trophy was not included in the official championship. He secured other podium finishes for March and Matra but, after 96 starts and 11 podium finishes, Amon retired in 1976 without a race win.[6]

Howden Ganley made his debut with BRM after racing in Formula 5000. In both 1971 and 1972 he finished six of the eleven races, including fourth places in each year. He moved to Iso-Marlboro for the 1973 season but the uncompetitive car meant that he was unable to finish above sixth. He drove for March for two races in 1974 and then twice failed to qualify in a Maki. He retired from Formula One and later went on to form the Tiga racing car manufacturer alongside Tim Schenken.[7]

Mike Thackwell, at the time of his first race in 1980, was the youngest driver to ever take part in a Grand Prix. He was entered for three races that year but on started the 1980 Canadian Grand Prix and was unable to see the chequered flag. After several years in other racing disciplines he made a brief comeback in 1984 but did not finish a race.[8]

Tony Shelly entered three races with Lotus in 1962. He only started one Grand Prix and did not make it to the end of the race.[9]

Graham McRae started the 1973 British Grand Prix, his only race in Formula One, but his ISO Marboro failed before he finished the first lap.[10] John Nicholson was entered for the 1974 British Grand Prix but did not start. The following year he again entered the British Grand Prix, eventually finishing in 17th place. He did not go on to compete in any other races.[11]

Timeline

1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
McLaren
Shelly
Amon
Hulme
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
McLaren
Amon
Hulme
Ganley
McRae
Nicholson
Thackwell Thackwell
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

See also

References

  1. ↑ Noble, Jonathan (11 September 2012). "Brendon Hartley 'better prepared' for Mercedes F1 chance". Autosport. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  2. ↑ Cross, Dan (13 April 2010). "Crunch Time for Brendon Hartley". Motorsport Musings. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "F1 in New Zealand". Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "Bruce McLaren". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  5. ↑ "Denny Hulme". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  6. ↑ "Chris Amon". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "Howden Ganley". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Mike Thackwell". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  9. ↑ "Tony Shelly". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Graham McRae". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "John Nicholson". EPSN F1. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
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