I am very sad to report that three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jack Brabham has passed away at the age of 88.
The Australian driver claimed his first two titles for Cooper in 1959 and 1960, before becoming the first driver to win the championship at the wheel of his own car in 1966.
The remarkable achievement will probably never be matched. After working as a mechanic for the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War, he built a midget car that he eventually started to race.
After several successful years competing in Australia and New Zealand, he moved to the UK and made his Formula 1 debut driving a Cooper T40 at the 1955 British Grand Prix.
During his 15-year spell in the sport, Brabham won 14 races and scored 13 pole positions. He was the first Australian driver to take the title and remains the most successful F1 racer to ever emerge from the country.
Following several seasons driving for Cooper, "Black Jack" - as he was nicknamed - left the team and set up the Brabham Racing Organisation with Ron Tauranac in 1961. The outfit started to build cars for lower formulae before focusing on constructing a Formula 1 car.
He raced in the first five races of the 1962 season with a Lotus 24 before unveiling his own car, the Brabham BT3, in July at the German Grand Prix. Despite success in other series further down the motorsport ladder, it took Brabham until 1964 to score his first podium in his own car.
Two years later he secured his third world title after taking victory in four races in 1966 at the wheel of his BT19. He continued to win races all the way through to his final season in F1 and decided to retire from the sport at the end of 1970, at the age of 44. He sold his half of the team to Tauranac shortly after.
Brabham was knighted in 1979 and is one of the true legends of Formula 1. His three sons have all enjoyed success in motorsport and two of his grandsons, Matthew and Sam, are currently building their own racing careers.
"It’s a very sad day for all of us," said Brabham's youngest son David in a statement released by the family. "My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 this morning.
"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."
Ron Dennis, McLaren CEO, paid tribute to Brabham: "The word 'legend' is often used to describe successful sportsmen, but often it exaggerates their status. In the case of Sir Jack Brabham, however, it's entirely justified.
"A three-time Formula 1 world champion, he remains the only driver to win a Formula 1 world championship driving a car bearing his own name - a unique achievement that will surely never be matched. When I started out in Formula 1 in the late 1960s, I worked first for Cooper and then for Brabham.
"Even as a callow youth, I could recognise greatness when I saw it, and I'll always regard it as an honour and a privilege to have worked for Sir Jack. I learned a lot from him too.
"So, on behalf of all at McLaren, I'd like to pay tribute to one of the most illustrious names in motor racing history, and above all to extend heartfelt condolences to Sir Jack's widow Margaret and his three sons Geoff, David and Gary. Sir Jack Brabham, legend, RIP."
1980 F1 champion Alan Jones told reporters: "I think he was inspirational for any young bloke that wanted to go across overseas and race cars. He was the man they looked up to and he was the man they wanted to emulate."
My thoughts are with Brabham's family and friends at this difficult time. The F1 legend will certainly never be forgotten.
More tributes:
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| © AFP |
The remarkable achievement will probably never be matched. After working as a mechanic for the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War, he built a midget car that he eventually started to race.
After several successful years competing in Australia and New Zealand, he moved to the UK and made his Formula 1 debut driving a Cooper T40 at the 1955 British Grand Prix.
During his 15-year spell in the sport, Brabham won 14 races and scored 13 pole positions. He was the first Australian driver to take the title and remains the most successful F1 racer to ever emerge from the country.
Following several seasons driving for Cooper, "Black Jack" - as he was nicknamed - left the team and set up the Brabham Racing Organisation with Ron Tauranac in 1961. The outfit started to build cars for lower formulae before focusing on constructing a Formula 1 car.
He raced in the first five races of the 1962 season with a Lotus 24 before unveiling his own car, the Brabham BT3, in July at the German Grand Prix. Despite success in other series further down the motorsport ladder, it took Brabham until 1964 to score his first podium in his own car.
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| © Wikimedia Commons |
Two years later he secured his third world title after taking victory in four races in 1966 at the wheel of his BT19. He continued to win races all the way through to his final season in F1 and decided to retire from the sport at the end of 1970, at the age of 44. He sold his half of the team to Tauranac shortly after.
Brabham was knighted in 1979 and is one of the true legends of Formula 1. His three sons have all enjoyed success in motorsport and two of his grandsons, Matthew and Sam, are currently building their own racing careers.
"It’s a very sad day for all of us," said Brabham's youngest son David in a statement released by the family. "My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 this morning.
"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."
Ron Dennis, McLaren CEO, paid tribute to Brabham: "The word 'legend' is often used to describe successful sportsmen, but often it exaggerates their status. In the case of Sir Jack Brabham, however, it's entirely justified.
"A three-time Formula 1 world champion, he remains the only driver to win a Formula 1 world championship driving a car bearing his own name - a unique achievement that will surely never be matched. When I started out in Formula 1 in the late 1960s, I worked first for Cooper and then for Brabham.
"Even as a callow youth, I could recognise greatness when I saw it, and I'll always regard it as an honour and a privilege to have worked for Sir Jack. I learned a lot from him too.
"So, on behalf of all at McLaren, I'd like to pay tribute to one of the most illustrious names in motor racing history, and above all to extend heartfelt condolences to Sir Jack's widow Margaret and his three sons Geoff, David and Gary. Sir Jack Brabham, legend, RIP."
1980 F1 champion Alan Jones told reporters: "I think he was inspirational for any young bloke that wanted to go across overseas and race cars. He was the man they looked up to and he was the man they wanted to emulate."
My thoughts are with Brabham's family and friends at this difficult time. The F1 legend will certainly never be forgotten.
More tributes:
RIP Sir Jack Brabham. What an amazing driver and man #legend
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) May 19, 2014
Sorry to hear about Sir Jack Brabham. A great Australian who inspired many Aussies to pursue our dreams.
— Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo) May 19, 2014
RIP Sir Jack Brabham pic.twitter.com/N3UxlqB9xc
— Max Chilton (@maxchilton) May 19, 2014
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