Formula 1 legend and renowned motorcycle racer John Surtees has died at the age of 83, the family announced in a statement.
Surtees was taken to a London hospital in February to treat an existing respiratory condition, the family said. He was moved to intensive care, and shortly after passed away Friday afternoon.
“John was a loving husband, father, brother and friend,” his family said in a statement. “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.”
Surtees’ F1 career spanned 12 years. He won the 1964 Formula 1 drivers’ championship with Ferrari, and won six races with Ferrari, Cooper, and Honda. He landed on the podium 24 times and earned pole position eight times. In addition to his auto racing career, Surtees was a prolific motorcycle racer. Having won seven Grand Prix motorcycling world championships in various classes, Surtees is the only person to have won the title on both two and four wheels.
After his driving career ended, he continued to be involved in motorsports managing the Surtees Formula 1 team until 1978. His son Henry Surtees was a rising star in open-wheel racing, but was sadly killed in an accident during a 2009 Formula 2 race. Afterwards, the elder Surtees set up The Henry Surtees Foundation, which helps people with accidental injuries develop their capabilities.
Tributes to the late racing legend have been flooding social media since the announcement was made. We’ve collected just a few of them below.
Source: Henry Surtees Foundation
John Surtees, Motorsport legend and 1964 World Champion with Ferrari, passed away. Our thoughts are with his family http://pic.twitter.com/dVzAHSGo2A
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 10, 2017
RIP, John Surtees. A legend of two and four wheel racing. You will be sorely missed. #Legend https://t.co/S2pPi4kS6D
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 10, 2017
Rip #JohnSurtees Legend ???????? http://pic.twitter.com/3DebQwOKyj
— Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) March 10, 2017
Rest in Peace John Surtees, a great champion in every respect. Sadly he'll never get the Knighthood he deserved. Condolences to the family ????
— Martin Brundle (@MBrundleF1) March 10, 2017
Remembering the inspirational John Surtees, a legend on four wheels and two. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP http://pic.twitter.com/3GlrB8Pq1e
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) March 10, 2017
Today the F1 family lost one of its all-time greats
1964 F1 world champion and motorsport legend John Surtees has passed away aged 83 http://pic.twitter.com/qAhTp7HANY
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 10, 2017
A master of two wheels and four. RIP John Surtees. http://pic.twitter.com/yCCQKXvKPM
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 10, 2017
Very sad, can't believe it John. You had been so supportive of me all along! ???????? My thoughts are with your family. REST IN PEACE #johnsurtees http://pic.twitter.com/sC8pAaER5t
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) March 10, 2017
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