Rikky von Opel

Rikky von Opel, born in 1947, holds a distinctive place in Formula 1 history as a driver from Liechtenstein, one of the smallest nations to be represented in the World Championship. He made eleven starts across the 1973 and 1974 seasons.

Von Opel began his Grand Prix career with the fledgling Ensign team in 1973, giving the new British constructor its earliest World Championship outings. For 1974 he moved to the far more established Brabham operation.

Despite the step up in machinery, points proved elusive: von Opel was not classified in the championship in either season, and his eleven starts brought no wins, podiums or poles.

His Formula 1 career was compact — two seasons, two teams — but the switch from a brand-new outfit to one of the sport's major names within a single year made it an unusual one, and 1974 marked the end of his time at championship level, aged just 26.