How to achieve results when dealing with unknown elements – producing a film on NZ’s F1 driver Chris Amon featured in Ferrari’s museum’s at Modena and Maranello. The goal was to provide further insight on the magnitude of Chris Amon’s achievements racing with Ferrari from 1967 to 1969 in a style which would appeal to present day viewer’s around the world.
With the main objective in mind, unknown factors included – how to capture the essence of Chris’s career within the historical time-frame of Ferrari’s development of cars in the early years of racing Formula One. And, equally important was how to convey the significance of Chris’s performance on the track – testing and racing – to the progression and competitiveness of Ferrari against varying Manufacturer’s in Europe and America.
Experiencing the grandeur, architecture, and sheer comprehensive display of Ferrari’s history at both museum’s in Modena and Maranello was awe inspiring to say the least. The style of presentation of images and cars with corresponding information, use of lighting, and overlay of films depicting Ferrari’s history placed the visitor in a sense of wonderment on how so much has been achieved from the founding year in 1947 to the present day.
The visual representation of Chris Amon amongst Ferrari’s illustrious historical figures was a sight to behold. Images of Chris winning 24 Hours of Daytona with Lorenzo Bandini in 1967 was highly significant, not only for Chris’s career with Ferrari, but also for Ferrari asserting victory over Ford in America. Equally impressive were the photos of Chris testing Ferrari’s 312 P and 712 Can Am and the unexpected image of Chris setting a new track record of 48 9/10″ in 1969. Such representations highlight the part Chris played in Ferrari’s development and evolvement as a Brand and Manufacturer culminating in Ferrari competing in every Formula One Championship since the founding year in 1950.
To place Chris’s track record in context, the following photo lists the Formula One driver’s who have set track records in varying Ferrari model cars from Niki Lauda in 1975 to Michael Schumacher in 2004.
Ferrari track records from 1975 through to 2004. Image: MXLink filmed at Ferrari museum at Maranello.
Key factors impacted how to showcase the story of Chris’s career with Ferrari which would attract and inspire viewer’s to appreciate what the kiwi achieved some 60 years ago. The sight of Fiorano test track so close to Ferrari Factory and museum was highly significant in setting the scene for the film as this circuit was ultra important for Enzo Ferrari to test his F1 driver’s in the car models developed and built for racing – season-on-season.
Viewing the visuals of Fiorano test track with dimensions, car speed, and sound of engines provided the perfect back-drop to overlay Chris Amon’s experiences racing with Ferrari. Quotes of milestones achieved – winning 24 Hours of Daytona and Monza 1000kms in 1967 set precedent on what would be Chris’s most successful year of his career. Taking four 3rd podiums in the Formula One Championship in ’67 – at the Monaco Grand Prix, Belgium Grand Prix, British Grand Prix, and German Grand Prix – set Chris Amon’s racing career in NZ’s hallmark of fame.
The following film provides in depth insight on Chris Amon’s extraordinary time racing with Ferrari from 1967 – 1969.
Film produced on Chris Amon featured in Ferrari museum’s at Modena and Maranello. Production: MXLink.
Header photo: Chris Amon testing with Ferrari at Fiorano test track. Images filmed at Ferrari museum’s at Modena and Maranello by MXLink.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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