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Jack Brabham’s legacy

Sir Jack Brabham, a three-time Formula One world drivers’ champion and icon of world motorsport, has died.

The Australian won the championship in 1959, 1960 and 1966 – the final time in a car of his own construction.

In 1959 he won the first of his three championships, famously running out of fuel in the last race and pushing his car to the finish.

In 1966 he became the first driver to win the championship in a car he had built himself – the BT19. He won the constructors’ championship that year, and again in 1967.

After retiring in 1970, he became the first motorsport identity to be knighted.

In his final years, Brabham 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 said.

Brabham is survived by his three sons, Geoff, Gary, and David, who all forged their own motorsport careers. His wife Betty died last year.

-with ABC

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