► John Surtees has died aged 83
► We bid farewell to F1 champion
► The only bike/car world champ
Former world champion on two wheels and four, John Surtees, passed away today at the age of 83.
His family confirmed his death in a short statement: ‘John, 83, was admitted to St Georges Hospital, London in February with an existing respiratory condition and after a short period in intensive care he passed away peacefully this afternoon. His wife, Jane and daughters, Leonora and Edwina were by his side.
‘John was a loving husband, father, brother and friend. He was also one of the true greats of motorsport and continued to work tirelessly up until recently with The Henry Surtees Foundation and Buckmore Park Kart Circuit.
‘We deeply mourn the loss of such an incredible, kind and loving man as well as celebrate his amazing life. He has set a very real example of someone who kept pushing himself at his peak and one who continued fighting until the very end.’
John Surtees: 1934-2017
Surtees was the 1964 Formula 1 world champion in a career that spanned 12 years and more than 100 starts. He drove for many of the big teams, including Ferrari, Honda and his own eponymous team.
Crucially, he was unique in also being a motorbike champ, winning the 500cc championship in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960.
More recently he supported his son Henry’s own fledgling motorsport career, cruelly cut short in 2009 when he was killed in a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch.
Surtees was awarded the CBE, but the campaign to have him knighted was never realised.
Leave your tributes to John Surtees in the comments section below
