Sir Jack Brabham, three-time F1 champion, dies aged 88

A statement from the Brabham family said that the Australian passed away peacefully at his home on the Gold Coast on Monday morning.

Brabham was the first man to win an F1 title in a car of his own making, as he established the Brabham team in the early 1960s after winning his first two F1 titles with Cooper.

It was with Cooper that he had made his F1 debut in 1955, having begun his career in midget racing and hillclimbs in Australia at the start of the decade.

After initially focusing on the team's sportscar and Formula 2 efforts around sporadic grand prix outings, he became a full-time F1 driver in 1958.

His maiden victory came in Monaco at the start of the following season, and kicked off two ultra-successful years that brought him both the 1959 and '60 world championship titles.

He created the Brabham team for 1962, initially running a Lotus while the first of his design partner Ron Tauranac's creations was completed.

It would be his initial team-mate Dan Gurney who took the Brabham team's first wins, but in 1966 a run of four mid-season victories set Brabham up for his third and final F1 crown, this time in his own car - a so far unique achievement. The Brabham team also won constructors' titles in both 1966 and '67.

Brabham retired at the end of the 1970 season, which he had begun with a 14th and final GP win at Kyalami, selling the team at the same time.

While his eponymous squad went on to further title successes with Nelson Piquet under Bernie Ecclestone's ownership, Brabham was able to watch his three sons Geoff, Gary and David embark on highly successful motorsport careers in their own right.

Grandsons Matthew and Sam have also commenced single-seater racing careers in recent seasons.

"It's a very sad day for all of us," said David Brabham. "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."