Three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jack Brabham has passed away aged 88 following a long battle against liver disease, his son, David Brabham, confirmed on Monday morning.
The Australian competed in F1 between 1955 and 1970 and went on to win the title three times in 1959, 1960 and 1966.
“It’s a very sad day for all of us. My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88,” said David.
“He lived an incredible life, achieving more than anyone would ever dream of and he will continue to live on through the astounding legacy he leaves behind.”
Sir Jack’s racing career began in Australia in 1948. He left his position as a mechanic with the Royal Australian Air Force and relocated to the UK where he made his grand prix debut in 1955.
His first two championships came with Cooper in the T51 before he started his own team in 1962 and famously won the 1966 title in a car – the BT19 – he had built himself with the help of close friend and designer Ron Tauranac.
Team Brabham was later sold to Bernie Ecclestone but collapsed in 1992 after Ecclestone relinquished control a few years earlier in order to run the sport and the team was taken over by the Middlebridge Group.
He remains the only man in history to have designed, built and raced a championship-winning car.
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