London: John Surtees, the only racer to have won world championships on motorbikes and in Formula One passed away at 83 on Friday and tributes continue to pour in.
Surtees was admitted to a London hospital in February with an existing respiratory condition and after a short period in intensive care died peacefully, reports the Guardian.
Surtees won the 500cc motorcycle world championship in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960 with the MV Agusta factory team, for whom he scored 22 wins at the top level before switching to cars, making his debut for Lotus and winning the Formula One title for Ferrari in 1964, which included a remarkable win at the Nürburgring and one at Monza.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from fans, family and racers.
Such a lovely man. We have lost a true great motorsport legend. RIP John. #JohnSurtees
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) 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 pic.twitter.com/sC8pAaER5t
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) March 10, 2017
Very sad to hear the news of John Surtees passing.F1 and Motorcycle World Champion and a great man,our thoughts are with his family
— Nigel Mansell CBE (@nigelmansell) March 10, 2017
Rip #JohnSurtees Legend ???? pic.twitter.com/3DebQwOKyj
— Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) March 10, 2017
Sad news today. It was great to meet you legend. RIP John Surtees pic.twitter.com/1C58QY1xGl
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) 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 pic.twitter.com/qAhTp7HANY
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 10, 2017
John Surtees, Motorsport legend and 1964 World Champion with Ferrari, passed away. Our thoughts are with his family pic.twitter.com/dVzAHSGo2A
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 10, 2017
John Surtees, Motorsport legend and 1964 World Champion with Ferrari, passed away. Our thoughts are with his family pic.twitter.com/dVzAHSGo2A
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 10, 2017
Today we lost one of the all time greats on two and four wheels. We will miss you John… #ripjohnsurtees
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) March 10, 2017
Surtees suffered a life-threatening accident in Canada, in 1965, from which he recovered to continue racing but he and his family were struck by tragedy in 2009 when his son Henry was killed in an accident after being struck on the head by an errant wheel. (ANI)