Sir Jack Brabham passes away

Three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jack Brabham, who won the title in a car he built himself, has died aged 88.

The Australian driver, who was knighted in 1979, won the championship in 1959, 1960 and 1966.

His son, David, confirmed that he had died at his home on Australia's Gold Coast after a long battle with liver disease.

"He lived an incredible life, achieving more than anyone would ever dream of," said David Brabham.


Analysis

Jack Brabham's career coincided with those of other Formula 1 legends, notably Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart.

Brabham was never considered to have the natural talent of those rivals, but he earned a reputation as a tough, uncompromising competitor and his career success surpassed all his contemporaries bar Stewart and Juan Manuel Fangio, with whom Brabham only briefly overlapped.

But no-one wins three world titles against drivers like that - in addition to the likes of John Surtees, Dan Gurney, Tony Brooks and others - without being pretty special themselves.

Andrew Benson, BBC Sport's chief F1 writer

"He will continue to live on through the astounding legacy he leaves behind."

Sir Jack began racing in Australia in 1948 after serving in the Royal Australian Air Force as a mechanic.

After a number of successful years racing in New Zealand and Australia, he came to the UK and made his Grand Prix debut in 1955.

His Grand Prix wins ranged from his first in Monaco in 1959 to his last in South Africa in 1970, the year he retired from the sport.

His world championship win in 1966 was achieved in a car of his own construction, the rear-engined BT19.

He remains the only man in history to have designed, built and driven a championship-winning car.

Brabham raced on into his 40s, recording his last of his 14 F1 victories at the age of 43 in the 1970 South African Grand Prix.

After his retirement, he sold his his team to Bernie Ecclestone - who would go on to run the sport - with the Brabham name remaining in the sport until the 1990s.

He was knighted for services to motor sport in 1979.

"Australia has lost a legend," said Tony Abbott, Australia's Prime Minister.

"With his pioneering spirit, Sir Jack Brabham personified many great Australian characteristics. "He was respected and admired for his spirit, and for his great skill as an engineer."

Brabham is survived by his wife, Lady Margaret, and sons Geoff, Gary and David and their families.

Great Champion was SJB. R.I.P   

Not just a great champion but a great gentleman as well.

RIP Sir Jack.

RIP Sir Jack - he was our Bradman of motor sport. A gentleman and champion as you say, Craig.

Sad week for Australian sport. We also lost Reg Gasnier (Puff the Magic Dragon) and Tom Hafey - AFL Legend.

Read the BBC tribute the other day and was amazed at the life and career he had.

I obviously knew who he was and what he'd achieved, but never realised he was also an engineering genius who designed, built...and raced...his own cars.

Add to that the fact he managed to win 3 titles and seemed to be universally liked by everyone in the sport (even the likes of Ron Dennis looked up to him) and thats quite a legacy to leave behind.