By Tinuade Salami
The only man who has won the grand prix world champion on both two wheels, John
Surtees has passed on.
Surtees who remained involved in motor racing into his 80s, competing in classic car
and bike events up until last year died Friday at St George's Hospital, London after
being treated for an existing respiratory condition.
The families of the deceased have expressed shock as they mourn the loss of their
beloved stating that Surtees was an incredible, kind and loving man.
However, the Funeral arrangements for the Former Formula 1motorcyclist is yet to be
announced
Surtees was awarded an MBE in 1959, the same year he won theĀ Sport Personality of
the Year and the CBE in 2016.
He won six F1 races in 111 starts between 1960 and 1972, and also drove for Honda,
Lotus, Cooper, Lola and BRM.
Surtees was also world champion in the 350cc motorcycling category from 1958-60.
He later set up his own F1 team and was behind the wheel when it made its debut at the
1970 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch.
Team Surtees managed two podium finishes but never won a race before it folded in
1978.
He went on to become chairman of the British team in the now-defunct A1 Grand Prix
series, while his son Henry began competing in Formula Two but was killed in an
accident at Brands Hatch in 2009, aged 18.
The family set up the Henry Surtees Foundation in aid of people recovering from brain
and physical injuries and to support motorsport-related educational programmes.