He is the F1 driver Jackie Stewart called ‘very quick’ and yet he never won a race despite leading 183 laps

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So many Formula 1 records are broken every season, and it’s usually those who win or lose that achieve most of the feats.

One special feat that could be broken awaits McLaren after the summer break. Another one-two finish would see them equal Ferrari’s record for the most consecutive in a season, set back in 2002.

It shows just how dominant they have been, and another racing driver who had the ability to dominate was Jackie Stewart.

He won three drivers’ championships across his career, but only drove for two teams across his 99 starts. The Scot was a loyal man.

Post-retirement, his contributions to improvements in safety were vital and have helped to save the lives of many Formula 1 drivers. He raced in an era where too many talents were lost prematurely.

Emerson Fittipaldi called Stewart his ‘toughest’ opponent, but drivers had to be tough both mentally and physically to cope with the demands of such an extreme sport.

READ MORE: Jackie Stewart once offered to help ‘nightmare’ current F1 driver after being appalled by his driving style

Chris Amon was called ‘very quick’ by Jackie Stewart but holds the F1 record for most laps led without a win

Although Stewart’s career spanned eight years between 1965 and 1973, one of his most talented opponents during that period holds an astonishing record.

Chris Amon has led the most laps in Formula 1 history without ever winning a race. He crossed the line in the lead 183 times, without ever doing so at the end of a Grand Prix.

The Kiwi did manage to earn five pole positions and 11 podiums, and even raced for Ferrari at one stage between 1967 and 1969.

Eventually, after a few years of being a bit of a part-time driver, he retired in 1976 – the same year James Hunt famously claimed the first of his titles.

Speaking after his passing in 2016, Stewart told RNZ’s Morning Report of just how special his talents were on a racetrack.

“He was very quick,” he said. “It’s amazing to me that he didn’t win quite a few World Championship Grand Prix victories. He was awfully good in sports cars as we know by winning Le Mans and that’s a great victory.”

READ MORE: Jackie Stewart admits he’s glad he retired from Formula 1 before having to race ‘extra special’ 51-win driver

What happened to Chris Amon after he stopped racing in Formula 1?

After packing up at the young age of 33, Amon gave up because he had seen so much in his time at the top. He was fired from Ensign for refusing to resume the German Grand Prix after Niki Lauda suffered a mega shunt.

It’s worth noting that he and fellow countryman Bruce McLaren were part of the team that won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans.

However, after eight attempts at winning the race, the only one he won ended up being the only time he would manage to finish the event.

In 1977, he was offered a full-time Formula 1 drive, but refused it and raced in Can-Am instead, lasting just one race before giving up for good again. He didn’t enjoy it anymore.