F1 and motorcycle champion Surtees dies at 83

ABOVE: Surtees on route to the F1 world championship in Mexico in 1964.

Former Formula 1 and motorcycle world champion John Surtees has died at the age of 83, his family have announced.

A statement from the Surtees family says the 1964 F1 World Champion died peacefully in hospital in London on Saturday afternoon after being admitted "with an existing respiratory condition" last month.

Having won multiple grand prix world championships on two wheels – including four in the 500cc class – Surtees switched to racing cars and was driving in Formula 1 full-time from 1961. Having made his F1 debut for Lotus, Surtees joined Ferrari in 1963 and won the world championship a year later in dramatic fashion at the Mexican Grand Prix (pictured), besting multiple world champions Graham Hill and Jim Clark to the title.

Having set up his eponymous racing team in 1970, Surtees retired from racing himself in 1972 to focus on running the outfit before it folded six years later.

Surtees then supported his own son, Henry, as he pursued a racing career but in 2009 Henry was killed in an accident during a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch at the age of 18. Surtees then set up the Henry Surtees Foundation in order to assist people with accidental injuries and help young people to develop their capabilities.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our husband and father, John Surtees CBE," his family posted in a statement on the Henry Surtees Foundation Facebook page.

"John, 83, was admitted to St George's Hospital, London in February with an existing respiratory condition and after a short period in intensive care he passed away peacefully this afternoon. His wife, Jane and daughters, Leonora and Edwina were by his side.

"John was a loving husband, father, brother and friend. He was also one of the true greats of motorsport and continued to work tirelessly up until recently with The Henry Surtees Foundation and Buckmore Park Kart Circuit.

"We deeply mourn the loss of such an incredible, kind and loving man as well as celebrate his amazing life. He has set a very real example of someone who kept pushing himself at his peak and one who continued fighting until the very end.

"We would like to thank all the staff at St George's Hospital and The East Surrey Hospital for their professionalism and support during this difficult time for us. Thank you also to all of those who have sent their kind messages in recent weeks."

Dan Gurney issued the following statement on the passing of his former competitor:

"Goodbye to a rare friend who made it to the pinnacle of racing on both two and four wheels."

Click on the thumbnails below for larger images of Surtees' race vehicles and career.

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