Tributes flow for Aussie F1 legend Sir Jack Brabham

Three-time Formula One world drivers’ champion Sir Jack Brabham has died, aged 88.

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Jack Brabham, driver of the #1 Brabham Repco BT20 at the Daily Mail Race of Champions on 12 March 1967 at the Brands Hatch circuit in Fawkham, Great Britain. (Getty)

Sir Jack Brabham, the three-time Formula One world champion and an iconic figure in motor racing, has died, aged 88.

The former Royal Australian Air Force mechanic won world titles in 1959 and 1960 with the Cooper Racing Team, and again in 1966 when he became the first driver to win in a car that he built himself.

He was the first motorsport identity to be knighted, after he retired in 1970.

Sir Jack, who had 14 Grand Prix wins to his name, won the Formula One World Constructors Championship in 1966 and 1967.

"It's a very sad day for all of us. My father passed away peacefully at home at the age of 88 this morning," son David Brabham said in a statement on Monday.

"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."

He also tweeted: "Thanks for all the kind messages about my father's peaceful passing, it is appreciated by the whole family."
It's understood Sir Jack had endured a long battle with liver disease.

Fellow Australian motor racing legend Alan Jones described Sir Jack, revered throughout the motor racing world, as an inspirational figure.

"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," Mr Jones told Sky News.

The Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) said the legendary driver, known as "Black Jack" would never be forgotten.

"Always a man of few words - his nickname 'Black Jack' referred to both his dark hair and his propensity for maintaining a shadowy silence - he avoided small talk and was undemonstrative in the extreme," a statement on the CAMS website said.

"But behind the wheel he was anything but shy and retiring. He put his head down and drove exceedingly forcefully."

In addition to his knighthood, Brabham was named Australian of the Year in 1966, a legend of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2003 and a National Living Treasure in 2012.

V8 Supercars chief executive James Warburton said he led the way for many Australians to succeed on the global stage and for Australia to be recognised as a leader in motorsport.

"He will be forever loved, admired and remembered," Mr Warburton said.

Sir Jack made his last public appearance on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, attending an event at the offices of Aeromil Pacific at the Sunshine Coast Airport, where he mixed with motor racing enthusiasts and inspected a car he built and raced during the 1967 Formula Two season.

He had flown by helicopter from his home on the Gold Coast to attend the event, organised by Aeromil Pacific managing director and long-time friend Steve Padgett, who had purchased the Brabham BT23 single seater, still painted in the iconic Brabham green and gold.

"He was certainly a towering figure in motor racing, there's no doubt about that and he was a great Australian," Mr Padgett told AAP.

"We started it up for him ... he cracked a couple of quite nice smiles which was great," Mr Padgett said.

In a testament to his character, he famously ran out of fuel on the last lap of the 1959 United States Grand Prix but pushed his car to the finish, securing fourth place and his maiden world title.

In his final years, Sir Jack battled failing eyesight and problems with his kidneys, but he never lost his spark or his sense of humour.

"The big aim now is to die without an enemy in the world. I'm going to outlive the bastards," he joked.

Sir Jack is survived by his wife, Margaret, and sons Geoff, Gary and David who have all forged their own motorsport careers.


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