John Surtees: Former F1 world champion dies at 83
John Surtees pictured with four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel at the 2015 British Grand Prix |
Former Formula 1 and motorcycling world champion John Surtees has died at the age of 83.
Surtees is the only man to have won the grand prix world championship on both two wheels and four.
He won four 500cc motorcycling titles - in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960 - and the F1 crown with Ferrari in 1964.
Surtees died at St George's Hospital, London, on Friday afternoon after being treated for an existing respiratory condition, a family statement said.
"We deeply mourn the loss of such an incredible, kind and loving man as well as celebrate his amazing life," the statement added.
Surtees was awarded an MBE in 1959, the same year he won the Sports Personality of the Year award, the OBE in 2009 and the CBE in 2016.
John Surtees pictured with four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel at the 2015 British Grand Prix |
He won six F1 races in 111 starts between 1960 and 1972, and also drove for Honda, Lotus, Cooper, Lola and BRM.
Surtees was world champion in the 350cc motorcycling category as well as 500cc from 1958-60.
He later set up his own F1 team and was behind the wheel when it made its debut at the 1970 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.
Team Surtees managed two podium finishes but never won a race before folding in 1978.
Surtees went on to become chairman of the British team in the now-defunct A1 Grand Prix series, while his son Henry began competing in Formula Two but was killed in an accident at Brands Hatch in 2009, aged 18.
The family set up the Henry Surtees Foundation in aid of people recovering from brain and physical injuries and to support motorsport-related educational programmes.
Surtees remained involved in motor racing into his eighties, competing in classic car and bike events up until last year.
Tributes to Surtees
1996 F1 world champion Damon HillSuch a lovely man. We have lost a true great motorsport legend. RIP John. #JohnSurtees— Damon Hill (@HillF1) March 10, 2017
Three-time world touring car champion Andy PriaulxVery sad to hear the passing of John Surtees. Absolute legend. Amazing man on both 2 and 4 wheels. Thoughts are with his family. 🙏 RIP John— Andy Priaulx MBE (@andypriaulx) March 10, 2017
Former BBC Formula 1 presenter Suzi PerryJust heard the terribly sad news that the wonderful John Surtees has passed away. What a talented, lovely lovely man. We've lost a rare gem.— Suzi Perry (@suziperry) March 10, 2017
BBC Radio 5 live F1 analyst Mark GallagherOne of best aspects of having a team in A1GP was meeting, working alongside & competing against John Surtees @ A1TeamGB. #RIP #BigJohn #F1— Mark Gallagher (@_markgallagher) March 10, 2017
Will always be "SIR" John Surtees in my eyes ..#sosad pic.twitter.com/4Qba4Q3gHe— Paul Hollywood (@PaulHollywood) March 10, 2017
Chef Paul Hollywood
Sports Minister Tracey CrouchDevastating news about racing legend John Surtees 🏍 🏎. A real national & local hero through his support of sport & charitable work. V sad— Tracey Crouch (@tracey_crouch) March 10, 2017
BBC
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