Three-time formula one world champion Sir Jack Brabham has died, aged 88.
Brabham, a former Royal Australian Air Force mechanic, began his motorsport career on Australian speedway dirt tracks in the late 1940s.
He headed to Britain and joined the Cooper Racing Team, with which he won the 1959 and 1960 formula one championships.
But it was his own Brabham racing cars – designed and engineered with friend and fellow Australian Ron Tauranac – that led to him winning the 1966 championship.
Brabham is the only person to have won the formula one world championship in his own car.
He was born John Arthur Brabham on April 2, 1926, but was known as Jack and later picked up the nickname Black Jack.
Brabham is survived by his second wife, Lady Margaret, and sons to his first wife Betty – Geoff, Gary and David, each of whom has enjoyed success in motorsport.
Two of Brabham’s grandsons are also forging careers in motorsport.
Geoff’s son Matthew is competing in the Indy Lights race in the US and won his first race this month.
David’s son Sam is competing in the Formula Ford championship in Britain.
