John Surtees, Formula 1 and motorcycle racing champion, has died

John Surtees, Formula 1 world champion in 1964, died today at the age of 83. He remains the only Briton to have won both a world motorcycle title and the most prestigious motor racing championship.

When news of John Surtees' death was announced, the motorsport community reacted with an outpouring of respect that underscored a career few could match. At 82, the Briton remains the only person to have won world championships on both two and four wheels, a feat that still defines his legend today.

Born in 1934, Surtees first made his mark on the motorcycle circuit, winning several world titles in the second half of the 1950s. But the lure of Formula 1 proved irresistible, and he made his Grand Prix debut in 1960 at the wheel of a Lotus. In just four races, he took pole position, set the fastest lap and finished second at his home circuit at Silverstone, proving that his speed on two wheels translated to four. Enzo Ferrari took notice and signed the Englishman to the Scuderia in 1963. The following year, Surtees won the F1 world championship, beating icons such as Jim Clark and Graham Hill to become the oldest champion of the era. His career in the premier class continued into the early 1970s, culminating in the creation of his own team in 1970. Although it survived for eight seasons, it never achieved the success its founder had hoped for, and Surtees retired from racing in 1973 to focus on managing the team before eventually selling it.

Another tragedy struck the Surtees family in the late 2000s, when his son Henry also embarked on a racing career. Henry's promising trajectory was cut short at Brands Hatch during a Formula 2 race, when a loose wheel struck him in the head, ending his life.

Even in his later years, Surtees remained a familiar figure in paddocks around the world, his experience and anecdotes connecting several generations of drivers. Tonight, his fellow drivers and former rivals paid tribute to him: “I'm very sad, I can't believe it, John. You always supported me! 🙏🏻 My thoughts are with your family. REST IN PEACE #johnsurtees” – Nico Rosberg “Such a charming man. We have lost a true motorsport legend. Rest in peace, John. #JohnSurtees” – Damon Hill “I am very sad to hear of the passing of John Surtees. A world champion in F1 and motorcycles, he was a great man. Our thoughts are with his family.” – Nigel Mansell CBE