Australian F1 legend Sir Jack Brabham dies, aged 88
Yahoo!7Updated May 19, 2014, 8:38 am
Legendary Australian motor racing driver Sir Jack Brabham has died, aged 88.
Brabham won three Formula One world championships - in 1959, 1960 and 1966 - and claimed 14 Grand Prix races over a 128-race career.
Nicknamed 'Black Jack', Brabham was the first man to be knighted for services to motor sport.
He passed away peacefully in his Gold Coast home at around 6am this morning.
"It's a very sad day for all of us," Brabham's youngest son David said in a statement.
"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."
Brabham is survived by his three racing sons and their families, and his wife Lady Margaret.
Along with his exceptional driving skills, Brabham was also a renowned race car constructor and remains the only man to win a Formula One world championship in his own car. It is a feat unlikely to ever be repeated.
Brabham was a mechanic with the Royal Australian Air Force before he moved to the UK to begin his Formula One career in the late 1950s.
After winning the world title in 1959 and 1960 with Cooper Racing Team, he began driving cars he designed and engineered himself with fellow Australian Ron Tauranac.
It was with Brabham cars that he won his final world championship in 1966.
As Australia's first Formula One world champion, Brabham is considered a pioneer and a legend of Australian motor sport.
His sons Geoff, Gary and David followed their father him into the sport with great success.
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